Senate Democrats rip DHS over diverted funding for campaign-style Trump ads
Two Democratic senators are demanding answers following reports that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funds were used to run TV advertisements promoting President Trump. In a Tuesday letter addressed to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) asked him to address several questions regarding the use of the funds within...
As the clock ticks down on a $205 million funding period, the Trump administration is making a concerted effort to steer over $175 million of the State Department's leading human rights grant towards a collection of awards that include a substantial $40 million grant for an anti-communism fund, support for a group advocating for white Afrikaner rights in South Africa, an opposition to Brazil's supreme court, and programs that would acknowledge ideological allies in Europe who safeguard "western civilisational norms."
Critics have zeroed in on 43 awards totaling $176.9 million, which will champion rightwing and conservative initiatives around the globe, potentially sparking anger among US allies over interference in their internal affairs. Among those who have laid eyes on the controversial grants is The Guardian, who is presented with a sample that comprises the bulk of the $205 million allocated for the Human Rights and Democracy Fund (HRDF) by Congress.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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