Last week some Americans got upset when President Trump shut off the flow of foreign aid to thousands of humanitarian projects so his newly formed Department of Government Efficiency can audit the payment process to eliminate wasteful spending.
Some Democrats accused Trump of being a dictator because he temporarily suspended the massive U.S. Agency for International Development program. Others expressed fears that the cutoff would endanger people who depend on the funds—even though newly appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged that emergency medical services, food and shelter would be exempted from the spending freeze.
I’m a humanitarian myself. I direct an international Christian charitable organization that builds women’s shelters and runs vocational training programs for vulnerable women in 11 countries—five of them in Africa. But because I depend totally on donations from generous Americans, I understand the need for strict accountability. I’m answerable to a board of directors, I comply with federal tax laws and I strive to keep overhead low so every dollar we receive from donors makes maximum impact overseas.
That why I was disgusted, honestly, when I learned that USAID has been flushing millions and millions of dollars down the drain. The government audit, led by DOGE director Elon Musk, has shocked average U.S. taxpayers, who are struggling to pay their bills. The waste of public funds has already become a front-page government scandal, and DOGE has not even started auditing other federal agencies.
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In the past few days Americans have learned that our hard-earned dollars are being misused in shocking ways. Some of the worst examples include:
- $241 million for “transgender animal testing,” which involves performing gender transition surgeries on rats and monkeys, and giving them hormone treatments. (I’m waiting for animal rights activists to protest these disgusting experiments.)
- $15 million to provide condoms to the Taliban in Afghanistan.
- $446,700 to promote the expansion of atheism in Nepal through the State Department.
- $1 million to boost French-speaking LGBTQ+ groups in West and Central Africa through the State Department.
- $20,600 to produce a drag show in Ecuador, $47,020 to put on a transgender opera in Colombia and $32,000 to publish an LGBTQ+-themed comic book in Peru.
- $8,000 to provide programs for LGBTQ+ groups in Cyprus and $1.5 million to help LGBTQ+ individuals in Serbia find jobs.
- $2.5 million to build electric vehicle charging stations in Vietnam’s largest cities.
It’s obvious that the wrong people are in charge of dispersing foreign aid. Meanwhile, it’s no secret that money that is sent to other countries from the U.S. doesn’t always get there. A big portion of it is skimmed off the top by bureaucrats.
Denis Lazaro, pastor of Rehoboth Christian Fellowship in Katwe, Uganda—where I am working this week—says it’s common knowledge that much of the aid sent from America to Uganda is misused.
“When money comes here, there is a chain of government workers in charge of distribution,” Lazaro says. “It’s an opportunity to embezzle. By the time the funds get to the bottom, there is seldom anything left.”
Lazaro knows of one case in which funds were sent to a government agency in Uganda to provide medicines for HIV-positive patients. But the funds went to a politician. “Some leaders take this money and buy houses abroad, and send their children to schools overseas,” the pastor says. “They are using the money to make themselves rich.”
At least one African leader has spoken out in favor of President Trump’s decisions to investigate foreign aid and root out corruption. Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda, told CNN last week that he agrees with Trump, even though it might hurt Rwanda in the short-term. “President Trump has unconventional ways of doing things,” Kagame says. “I completely agree with him on many things. I think, from being hurt, we might learn some lessons.” Rwanda receives more aid from the United States than any other nation.
I’m all for charity. I’ve seen how investing $50,000 or $100,000 into a poor community in Uganda, Malawi, Pakistan or Guatemala can transform lives. But the blatant squandering of taxpayer dollars by our government must end.
Jesus said: “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities,” (Luke 16:10, NLT). People who squander resources shouldn’t remain in charge of them. We must demand accountability, end corruption and stop using American generosity to promote evil agendas.
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