What Is the Trump Administration Doing With Foreign Aid Money?
The post What Is the Trump Administration Doing With Foreign Aid Money? appeared first on ProPublica .
In a recent meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump raised concerns about South Africa's treatment of white farmers, accusing the government of state-sanctioned violence. Upon returning to office, the Trump administration has made significant changes to foreign aid programs, discontinuing well-established initiatives and reallocating the billions of taxpayer dollars allocated for humanitarian aid, global health, and pro-democracy causes.
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), a lesser-known State Department bureau, has transformed under Trump, now planning to direct funds to controversial groups supporting right-wing causes in Europe and elsewhere. One such group, Lex Libertas, founded by a figure who advocates for Afrikaner self-governance, was proposed for a $1 million grant.
The grant was later opened up to invite other groups to apply for funding, with the primary focus on researching crime against minority populations in South Africa, specifically the white ethnic group known as Afrikaners. Former diplomats express shock at the prioritization of white South African victimization over other pressing human rights issues in the region.
The proposed grant is seen as aligning with the administration's broader stance towards South Africa, which has shifted away from supporting HIV care and towards strengthening ties with fringe right-wing groups. This change raises concerns about potentially driving a wedge between the U.S. and South Africa, given the historical ties that have benefited both nations' national security and economic interests.
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