Radical Transparency About Wasteful Spending

Memorandums

TLDR

This memorandum requires federal agencies to publicly disclose details about terminated programs, cancelled contracts, grants, and other discontinued federal funding. While presented as a transparency initiative against wasteful spending, it could potentially create a chilling effect on federally-funded organizations, expose sensitive operational details, and allow for selective disclosure aligned with administration priorities through broad, subjective interpretation of what “undermines national interest.”

This memorandum focuses on fiscal transparency and government spending oversight.

It requires federal agencies to publicly disclose details about:

  • Terminated programs
  • Cancelled contracts
  • Terminated grants
  • Other discontinued federal funding obligations

The memorandum presents itself as a transparency initiative aimed at exposing what the administration characterizes as wasteful government spending, particularly targeting:

  • Programs deemed ideological in nature
  • Overseas projects
  • Domestic organizations allegedly working against national interests

Agency heads are directed to:

  • Make public all details about terminated funding
  • Exercise discretion in determining appropriate disclosure levels
  • Maintain compliance with existing laws and regulations
  • Respect contractual terms and conditions

The memorandum could have several significant effects:

  • Create a chilling effect on organizations dependent on federal funding
  • Potentially expose sensitive operational details of terminated programs
  • Lead to selective disclosure that aligns with administration priorities
  • May be used to justify future program terminations

The broad language of “undermining national interest” could be interpreted subjectively, potentially leading to:

  • Politically motivated program terminations
  • Targeted exposure of specific organizations
  • Use of transparency as a tool for policy enforcement

This memorandum represents a significant shift in how federal agencies handle information about terminated funding, potentially creating a new level of public scrutiny over government spending decisions.

MEMORANDUM FORTHE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

SUBJECT: Radical Transparency About Wasteful Spending

The United States Government spends too much money on programs, contracts, and grants that do not promote the interests of the American people. For too long, taxpayers have subsidized ideological projects overseas and domestic organizations engaged in actions that undermine the national interest. The American people have seen their tax dollars used to fund the passion projects of unelected bureaucrats rather than to advance the national interest. The American people have a right to see how the Federal Government has wasted their hard-earned wages.

I therefore direct the heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies) to take all appropriate actions to make public, to the maximum extent permitted by law and as the heads of agencies deem appropriate to promote the policies of my Administration, the complete details of every terminated program, cancelled contract, terminated grant, or any other discontinued obligation of Federal funds. Agencies shall ensure that such publication occurs in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the underlying contract, grant, or other award.