President Donald Trump has directed the Attorney General to investigate whether federal grant recipients are illegally using taxpayer funds for lobbying and partisan political activities.
The Presidential memorandum calls for enforcement action against potential violations. The directive signals a crackdown on grant recipients suspected of misusing federal dollars for political advocacy.
The Trump administration claims that initial funding reviews uncovered grants with “highly political overtones.”
The memorandum characterizes such spending as “wasteful, abusive, and potentially fraudulent use of the American people’s money.” It raises concerns that federal grants may become “slush funds for political and legislative advocacy.”
Federal law strictly limits how grant recipients can spend taxpayer dollars. The law prohibits the use of appropriated funds for lobbying or supporting political candidates and parties.
The Attorney General must report findings to the President within 180 days. The investigation will focus on violations of 31 U.S.C. 1352, which restricts lobbying with federal funds.
The memorandum includes standard legal provisions protecting existing agency authorities. It clarifies that the directive creates no enforceable rights for outside parties.