Trump Signs Executive Order Increasing Political Oversight Federal Grants

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order that significantly increases political oversight of federal grantmaking by requiring senior political appointees to review and approve all funding opportunity announcements and grant awards. The order aims to ensure that grants demonstrably advance the President's policy priorities and align with agency priorities and the national interest, explicitly prohibiting funding for initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), illegal immigration, and other programs deemed contrary to public safety. It authorizes termination of grants that do not meet these criteria and calls for enhanced interagency coordination to prevent duplication and improve accountability. Critics warn that shifting grant approval from career civil servants to political appointees risks politicizing the process, slowing funding, and disrupting essential programs in environmental protection, education, and biomedical research, with vulnerable communities potentially facing adverse effects. The order also mandates agencies to review and revise grant terms to allow termination when awards no longer support program goals or the national interest, with annual reviews by designated appointees and subject matter experts to monitor progress. Medical and scientific organizations have expressed concern that the increased political involvement could hinder scientific innovation and delay critical research.