Complete List of Defunded Services/Programs

Trump: Defunding America

It is a ever growing list. Our current president is completely dismantling our way of life right in front of our eyes. MAGA supporters just don’t get it, and don’t understand. It is to speculate why he still even has support, but he does. Below is a list of everything Donald Trump is ruining that made America Great for everyone, not just the rich.

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 AmeriCorps Dismantling

The administration has effectively dismantled AmeriCorps, placing approximately 85% of its workforce on administrative leave with the warning that their jobs would be eliminated by June 24. More significantly, about $400 million in grant funding nationwide was terminated effective immediately in late April 2025. This impacts roughly 14,000 volunteers and members in Minnesota alone, serving 2,100 locations including schools, food banks, homeless shelters, health clinics, and other community organizations. The agency has sent cancellation notices to 1,031 programs across the country.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

In an unprecedented move, the entire staff running the $4.1 billion LIHEAP program was abruptly terminated in April 2025. This mass firing threatens to paralyze a critical program that helps approximately 6.2 million low-income individuals nationwide with heating and cooling expenses. The program was established by Congress in 1981 to alleviate the burden of high utility costs for families from Maine to Texas during both harsh winters and sweltering summers.

Head Start Regional Office Closures

The Trump administration has significantly disrupted the Head Start program by closing five of its ten regional offices – those located in Boston, New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle. These closures affect offices that serve roughly half the country’s Head Start providers. Some Head Start programs in Florida, Washington state, and southern Oregon have already experienced funding lapses causing temporary closures that affected hundreds of enrolled students.

Department of Education Staffing Cuts

Nearly half of the Department of Education’s staff was laid off in March 2025, as part of the administration’s stated goal to eventually eliminate the department entirely. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has described the agency as “responsibly winding down” and “shifting some responsibilities to the states”.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

The administration has ended Temporary Protected Status for thousands of Afghans, potentially exposing them to deportation starting May 20, 2025. This affects over 9,000 Afghan nationals who were previously protected under TPS. The administration also attempted to revoke TPS for Venezuelans, though this action was temporarily halted by a federal judge who stated it would “cause irreparable harm” to recipients.

U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

Entry of refugees under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program was suspended in January 2025 through a presidential directive. The administration has claimed that during the Biden administration, the U.S. was “inundated” with high levels of migration, including through the Refugee Admissions Program, and has ordered an “indefinite curtailment” of refugee admissions.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

President Trump stopped approving new allocations from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program in early April 2025. This FEMA-administered program has historically been crucial for states such as Florida, Oklahoma, California, and Missouri, allocating nearly $18 billion to safeguard 185,000 properties from natural disasters. The program has been instrumental in elevating or demolishing flood-prone homes, installing tornado-safe rooms, and strengthening buildings in hurricane or earthquake zones.

Attempted Federal Financial Assistance Freeze

In January 2025, the administration issued a memorandum directing all federal agencies to temporarily pause the obligation or disbursement of federal financial assistance. This would have affected new awards and the disbursement of federal funds under all open awards. While this freeze was temporarily blocked by a federal judge until February 3, 2025, and later formally reversed after widespread backlash, it created significant disruption and uncertainty across multiple sectors.

NPR, PBS, and Public Media

In May 2025, President Trump signed an executive order targeting federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The order instructed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to block indirect financial support to these entities, threatening their operational stability. The CPB, which funds over 1,500 local stations, filed a lawsuit against the administration after Trump attempted to remove three of its board members. Congress had allocated $535 million to the CPB for fiscal year 2025, but the White House plans to revoke $1 billion in future funding, jeopardizing critical educational and news programming.

Voice of America and International Broadcasts

The administration also attempted to shutter Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks, which provide U.S.-funded news to global audiences. A federal judge halted these efforts in April 2025, but the ongoing legal battle has disrupted operations and created uncertainty for journalists.

National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) began canceling grants in May 2025, prioritizing projects aligned with Trump’s emphasis on “America’s cultural legacy” over diversity-focused initiatives. Emails notified grantees that awards supporting artists of color or equity programs were discontinued. Similar cuts affected the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), with layoffs and program terminations sparking lawsuits from advocacy groups.

Electric Vehicle and Climate Resilience Freezes

In February 2025, the Department of Transportation (DOT) froze $20 billion in projects under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program and Reconnecting Communities Initiative. These freezes halted grants for EV charging stations and efforts to redress highways that displaced marginalized communities. The DOT memo mandated the elimination of all climate resilience policies by February 18, 2025, directly contradicting bipartisan infrastructure law goals.

Amtrak Funding Uncertainty

While Amtrak’s funding remained intact in the initial 2025 budget, the administration’s proposed 2026 cuts omit specific rail allocations. Advocacy groups warn that shifting focus to “weather satellites over climate research” could undermine long-term passenger rail investments.

Shift from Fiber to Satellite

The $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, designed to expand fiber-optic internet access, was restructured in March 2025 to prioritize satellite providers like Elon Musk’s Starlink. States such as West Virginia were ordered to reevaluate fiber projects, delaying connections for rural communities. Critics argue satellite internet is less reliable and more expensive, threatening equitable access.

Title X Grant Withholding

In March 2025, the administration withheld funds from 22 Title X family planning grants, impacting 30% of patients (834,000 individuals) who rely on low-cost contraception and reproductive healthcare. Sixteen grantees, including all Planned Parenthood affiliates, received termination notices citing alleged violations of anti-DEI policies. Seven states lost all Title X services, while 15 others faced partial closures.

USAID Program Termination

By March 2025, the State Department terminated 92% of USAID’s global assistance programs, canceling 5,200 contracts worth $60 billion. Projects supporting biodiversity, disaster relief, and HIV/AIDS prevention in 160 countries were abruptly halted, leading to layoffs and NGO closures. Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed the cuts aligned with “America First” priorities, but humanitarian groups reported disrupted aid deliveries in conflict zones.

Clean Water Infrastructure Cuts

The administration’s 2026 budget proposal seeks to slash the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF) by $2.46 billion, leaving only $305 million for states. These cuts jeopardize water system upgrades in small towns, with advocates warning of increased contamination risks.

Offshore Wind and Renewable Energy

The Interior Department’s renewable energy programs faced an $80 million reduction, targeting offshore wind projects. This aligns with broader efforts to prioritize fossil fuels, despite bipartisan support for clean energy under prior administrations.

DOE Nuclear Energy Office

The Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy lost $400 million in funding, halting research on next-generation reactors and waste storage solutions. The administration justified this as eliminating “non-essential research,” though experts warn it undermines U.S. leadership in nuclear innovation.

USDA Subsidies and School Nutrition Programs

The administration cut $1 billion from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in March 2025, terminating critical programs like the Local Food for Schools initiative ($660 million cut) and the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program ($10 million cut). These programs reimbursed schools for purchasing fresh produce from local farmers, directly linking small farms to educational institutions. In West Virginia alone, 84% of participating schools lost access to locally sourced meals, impacting 600 schools across 55 counties. Farmers like Jennifer Gilkerson of Sunset Berry Farm faced $50,000 deficits after grant cancellations, while John Spangler’s farm lost $100,000 in revenue from school contracts.

Meals on Wheels De Facto Cuts

Though not explicitly defunded, the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2025 excluded Meals on Wheels from funding extensions, effectively freezing its budget amid rising costs and increasing senior hunger. The program’s leadership called this a “funding cut in disguise,” jeopardizing meals for 2.4 million seniors nationwide.

VA Staffing Cuts

An internal memo revealed plans to cut 80,000 jobs from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), reducing staffing to 2019 levels (under 400,000 employees). This restructuring risks delaying healthcare services and benefits processing for millions of veterans, particularly those covered under the 2022 PACT Act for burn pit exposure. The VA’s partnership with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency underscores the administration’s focus on privatization.

USGS Water Science Center Closures

The Trump administration terminated leases for 25 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Science Centers, which manage stream gauges critical for flood warnings, drought response, and Clean Water Act compliance. Sixteen centers face closure by August 31, 2025, disrupting water data collection in Alaska, Massachusetts, and other states. The move aligns with broader efforts to reduce federal environmental oversight.

NOAA Satellite and Climate Research Cuts

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) faces a 25% budget reduction, including a 75% cut to climate research and a 44% reduction in geostationary satellite funding. These cuts threaten the development of next-generation weather satellites and dismantle cooperative climate research centers, potentially reverting U.S. meteorological capabilities to 1950s standards.

Insufficient HUD Program Funding

A year-long continuing resolution (CR) for FY2025 underfunded Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) by $3.65 billion, risking the loss of 32,000 housing vouchers upon tenant turnover. The CR also diverted $100 million from Homeless Assistance Grants (HAG) to cover renewals, reducing funds for permanent supportive housing.

NIH and CDC Proposed Reductions

The 2026 budget proposal seeks a 38% cut ($18 billion) to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and a 33% reduction to the CDC, eliminating chronic disease prevention programs. Former NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli criticized the administration’s rationale as “distorted,” emphasizing the impact on cancer and Alzheimer’s research.

EPA Staff and Program Cuts

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to reduce staffing to 1980s levels and slash its budget by $300 million in 2025, dissolving its Office of Research and Development. This follows the termination of climate research teams and aligns with Project 2025’s goal to prioritize “energy dominance” over environmental regulation.

Census Bureau Funding Uncertainty

The March 2025 CR cut $13 billion from domestic spending, leaving the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) vulnerable to reduced accuracy in tracking poverty, housing, and employment trends. Advocacy groups warn that underfunding could skew federal resource allocation for a decade.

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Cancellation

The administration proposed eliminating $5.7 billion for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations established under the 2021 Infrastructure Law, halting a nationwide rollout critical for reducing emissions. This aligns with cuts to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), which faces a 75% budget reduction.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) Cuts

The administration reduced fruit and vegetable vouchers for low-income seniors by 50% in May 2025, slashing maximum annual benefits from $50 to $25. This cut resulted from the expiration of COVID-19 relief funds that temporarily boosted the program. In Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, the reduction directly impacts seniors like Denise Ward, who rely on vouchers to purchase fresh produce at local markets. Advocacy groups warn this undermines food security for 2.4 million seniors already facing rising grocery costs.

National Park Service (NPS) Staff Reductions

The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced plans to cut 1,500 additional NPS staff by August 2025, bringing total workforce losses to 25% (5,000 employees). These cuts target regional offices and programs supporting park maintenance, wildlife conservation, and visitor services. Critics argue the reductions will degrade the $55.6 billion annual economic contribution of national parks while increasing risks to ecological and cultural resources.

Bureau of Reclamation Dam Safety Cuts

Nearly 400 staff at the Bureau of Reclamation-responsible for managing dams, hydropower, and water infrastructure in 17 western states-were terminated in March 2025. At the Grand Coulee Dam, the largest hydropower facility in North America, layoffs included engineers and emergency managers. The Association of Dam Safety Officials warned these cuts heighten risks of flooding, power disruptions, and environmental damage.

Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Flat Funding

Despite a $2.13 billion request for FY2026, Congress maintained LSC’s budget at $560 million in FY2025, a 35% real-term cut since 1995 after adjusting for inflation. This underfunding forces LSC grantees to turn away 1.8 million low-income Americans annually, including 535,000 domestic violence survivors and 115,000 veterans. The freeze exacerbates a justice gap where 49% of eligible individuals are denied civil legal assistance for housing, family, and consumer issues.

Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Underfunding

A year-long continuing resolution (CR) for FY2025 underfunded HUD’s TBRA program by $3.65 billion, risking the loss of 32,000 housing vouchers as tenants leave the program. The CR also diverted $100 million from Homeless Assistance Grants (HAG) to cover renewals, reducing funds for permanent supportive housing. Advocates estimate 1 million households face heightened eviction risks due to these cuts.

TANF Eligibility Enforcement

The administration mandated stricter enforcement of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility, prohibiting states from providing benefits to undocumented immigrants. While not a direct funding cut, this policy reduces program access for mixed-status families, potentially excluding thousands of U.S.-citizen children from cash assistance. The directive aligns with Executive Order 14141, which seeks to eliminate “incentives for illegal immigration”.

Government-Wide Staffing Reductions

President Trump extended a federal hiring freeze through July 15, 2025, prohibiting agencies from filling vacancies or creating new positions. Post-freeze, agencies can hire only 1 employee for every 4 departures, except in national security roles. The freeze has crippled agencies like the Census Bureau, where understaffing threatens the accuracy of the American Community Survey. Critics argue this “efficiency” measure prioritizes privatization over public service delivery.

Child Abuse and Exploitation Investigations

The administration terminated $136 million in grants from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), crippling programs that investigate child sexual abuse, track missing children, and prevent youth violence. This includes disbanding task forces targeting online child exploitation, which had resolved 12,000 cases annually. Advocacy groups warn these cuts leave vulnerable children without federal protection systems, reversing decades of progress in combating trafficking and abuse.

Child Support Enforcement Staffing Reductions

The Office of Family Assistance, which oversees child support enforcement, lost 45% of its workforce (1,200 employees) in March 2025. This undercuts efforts to secure $32 billion in annual child support payments for 16 million families, disproportionately affecting single-parent households.

$3.29 Billion Cut to Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)

A year-long continuing resolution (CR) passed in March 2025 slashed the Community Development Fund by $3.29 billion, gutting CDBG’s capacity to support affordable housing, infrastructure, and anti-poverty initiatives. This reduction impacts 1,200 local projects, including senior centers in Ohio and flood-resilient housing in Louisiana.