In mid-May, claims about government efficiency emerged, stating that it was created by an executive order and lacks the statutory authority of a formal department or agency. Notably, it’s not funded by Congress and operates without legislative oversight, according to a team from a government accounting firm. The GAO plays a role in helping Congress audit government spending, aiming to pinpoint waste, fraud, and mismanagement.
Officials from the GAO, a legislative branch agency, are currently investigating multiple allegations regarding the Trump administration’s illegal withholding of funds sanctioned by Congress. A spokesperson emphasized that GAO “is not subject to executive order.”
Similarly, officials of public broadcasting organizations also declined requests, referencing laws that clarify they are neither an agency nor a government entity.
Despite this, reports indicate that Doge staff members asserted their “sector” was intended to scrutinize “all labs or institutions that have been allocated congressional funds,” which includes private nonprofits.
The separation of power among the three branches of the federal government is a fundamental tenet of American democracy. The Constitution empowers Congress to regulate tariffs and approve governmental expenditures. In 1974, legislation was enacted to strengthen congressional authority in these areas, particularly to prevent conflicts over funds. The Constitution requires the president to ensure that the law is faithfully executed, while the judiciary interprets these laws.
This potential overreach in the separation of powers should concern all Americans, particularly those on the conservative side.
Aiming to reduce the deficit is a commendable pursuit; however, blunt measures could significantly undermine existing programs established by executive orders or mandated by DOGE. This could adversely affect many individuals both domestically and internationally.
Over the past four months, the Trump administration has halted, canceled, and effectively withheld $43 billion in funding approved by Congress. This affects several critical programs, from studies on cancer and diabetes to disaster relief efforts and infrastructure repairs for roads and bridges.
In April, the National Science Foundation reported that about 1,040 grants, totaling $739 million, had been completed, but they were then instructed to pause all grants due to unclear requirements that they must “align with agency policies.” As of now, the NSF has only accessed a quarter of its budget for the fiscal year.
From February 28 to April 8, the National Institutes of Health ended 694 grants totaling $1.8 billion. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, responsible for pandemic vaccine development, faced the most substantial cuts, amounting to $506 million. These reductions impact both red and blue states, with Arkansas, for instance, losing $100 million that could have funded crucial projects for childhood asthma research.
Research indicates that a 50% cut in federal science funding could lead to a startling 7.6% reduction in U.S. GDP. Moreover, even modest reductions might drive top researchers abroad, potentially allowing countries like China to surpass the U.S. in vital fields, including science and medicine.
Meanwhile, Doge and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have reportedly reduced 83% of programs governed by the U.S. International Development Agency, a body created by Congress around 60 years ago. Notably, the HIV/AIDS relief initiative known as Pepfar, established in 2003, was among those most significantly impacted. This program has been credited with saving millions of lives.
Initially, all Pepfar programs were frozen. Although a limited exception was later granted to continue essential HIV services, thousands of workers were laid off, and numerous nonprofit organizations faced funding shortages. An estimated 71% of preventive and treatment services have not recovered. The potential end of Pepfar could lead to millions of HIV-related deaths by 2030 in several countries.
In March, a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration lacked the authority to withhold USAID funds, emphasizing that decisions regarding foreign aid are constitutionally the domain of Congress. However, the administration has not reinstated numerous canceled contracts.
A lawsuit aims to restore USAID, yet the agency, with a skeleton staff, may be beyond repair, complicating efforts to restore American influence in developing nations, especially with increased Chinese aid.
As the Trump administration continues to bypass and undermine Congress, many Republicans in both the Senate and House seem absent from the conversation. When asked about the Doge Caucus, Rep. Pete Session of Texas offered a nonchalant excuse, saying, “I don’t walk and chew gum at the same time.” He claimed they’re quite busy.
Unless Republicans in Congress actively work to re-establish their role in preserving the separation of powers, the U.S. may drift further from the constitutional democratic principles that have historically defined it.
