The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has reportedly saved American taxpayers a significant amount of money by halting overseas projects deemed unnecessary. According to the watchdog initiative led by Elon Musk, a staggering $729 million in taxpayer funds was earmarked for various international programs that have now been canceled.
Among the projects that previously received U.S. funding was a $10 million initiative for voluntary medical male circumcisions in Mozambique, a program that many Americans may find surprising. Other canceled allocations included $14 million for enhancing procurement processes in Serbia, $29 million for strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh, $47 million for improving education outcomes across Asia, and $14 million for fostering social cohesion in Mali.
Additionally, DOGE highlighted that nearly $9.7 million was allocated to the University of California, Berkeley, to train Cambodian youth in enterprise-driven skills, alongside $2.3 million meant to support independent voices in Cambodia. The watchdog further revealed that an astonishing $40 million was designated for a gender equality and women’s empowerment hub, while a colossal $486 million was set aside for the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening. This included $22 million to support an inclusive political process in Moldova and $21 million to increase voter turnout in India—a decision that left many Americans questioning priorities.
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The revelations have sparked outrage, with critics emphasizing the dire need for investments in American infrastructure, which many argue is in a state of disrepair. Former U.S. Department of Energy nuclear scientist Matt Van Swol expressed his frustration, stating, “It is genuinely horrifying to see how much money the American people were sending to OTHER COUNTRIES while our own infrastructure is crumbling.” He later added, “Just disgusting.”
Concerns over the use of taxpayer dollars abroad are not new. Just last month, Republican lawmakers pushed for an investigation into former President Joe Biden’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after it allegedly used federal funds to cover at least 21 abortions in Mozambique through PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). The move sparked controversy, as it was seen as a violation of the Helms Amendment, which prohibits U.S. foreign aid from funding abortion services internationally. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, confirmed that the CDC disclosed the use of PEPFAR funds to compensate health workers performing abortions, a revelation that intensified calls for accountability.
As watchdog organizations continue to scrutinize federal spending, these revelations raise critical questions about how U.S. taxpayer dollars are allocated overseas and whether such funding aligns with national priorities. The debate over foreign aid versus domestic investment remains as heated as ever.
