Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Prevents Improper Use of Federal Grants for Political Lobbying

Fact Sheet: Preventing Improper Use of Federal Grants for Political Lobbying

On August 28, 2025, President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the Attorney General to investigate whether federal grant funds are being misused for political lobbying, with a progress report due in 180 days. The move is framed as protecting taxpayer dollars from being diverted to partisan or advocacy purposes, citing examples such as NIH and NSF grants with political overtones. The fact sheet underscores federal laws that prohibit grant funds from supporting lobbying or political campaigns. It also situates this action within Trump’s broader agenda of cracking down on waste, fraud, and inefficiency in government, highlighting previous initiatives such as the “10‑to‑1” deregulation rule, aligning NGO funding with U.S. interests, and prioritizing cost‑effective federal contracting.