Trump Seeks $9.3B Cuts to CPB and USAID, Citing DOGE Recommendations

The Trump administration has announced plans to request Congress to cut $9.3 billion in funding, targeting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports NPR and PBS, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The proposed rescission package, set to be submitted when Congress returns from its Easter recess, aims to eliminate all federal funding for the CPB, citing its alleged anti-conservative bias and instances of content featuring transgender characters. White House budget director Russ Vought has drafted the proposal, which also mentions NPR CEO Katherine Maher's past statements criticizing President Trump. The White House has also justified cuts to USAID by highlighting what it considers unnecessary expenditures, such as $900,000 for a greenhouse gas calculator, $500,000 for electric buses in Rwanda, and $4 million for legume systems research. The administration's move is part of a broader effort to address what it perceives as waste, fraud, and abuse in federal spending, as identified by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk. The proposal requires a simple majority in Congress to pass, and if not approved within 45 days, the funds must be released back to the agencies under the Impoundment Control Act. This proposal has been met with criticism from some quarters, with accusations of authoritarianism and concerns over the impact on public broadcasting and foreign aid programs. However, the Trump administration and its supporters argue that these cuts are necessary to eliminate wasteful spending and align with the president's campaign promises, including his executive order against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.