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From the Newspaper

Trump administration cuts US efforts to support democracy at home and abroad


Published on 2025-02-15 15:20:41 - MSN
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  • In less than a month in office the Trump administration has simultaneously dismantled foreign aid programs that support fragile democracies abroad and put on leave federal workers who protect US elections at home in a move that current and former officials say abandons decades of American commitments to democracy.

The Trump administration has significantly reduced U.S. efforts to promote democracy both domestically and internationally, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Key findings include a drastic cut in funding for democracy promotion programs, with a 39% reduction in the State Department's budget for these initiatives from 2016 to 2020. The administration also dismantled or weakened several key institutions and programs, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Office of Transition Initiatives, which was crucial for supporting democratic transitions in countries like Venezuela and Syria. Additionally, there has been a shift in focus towards counterterrorism and security, sidelining democracy and human rights. The report also notes a decline in U.S. engagement with international bodies like the Community of Democracies, and a lack of strategic planning for democracy promotion, which has led to a diminished U.S. role in fostering democratic governance globally. This shift has raised concerns about the long-term implications for global democracy and U.S. foreign policy.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/trump-administration-cuts-us-efforts-to-support-democracy-at-home-and-abroad/ar-AA1z6uAr ]