Skip to main content

Trump’s Federal Cash Moves: Controversy Unveiled.

 By   Peninah Mbula| The Common Pulse/latest news/Mexico/US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025.

President Donald Trump has faced criticism for directing federal funds toward initiatives that align with his personal and political interests, often bypassing traditional legislative processes. From reallocating military budgets to implementing controversial policies, these actions have sparked debates about fiscal responsibility and governance.

 
Redirecting Military Funds for Border Wall Construction

In 2019, President Trump declared a national emergency to secure funding for a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. This move allowed the administration to divert approximately $3.6 billion from military construction projects to wall construction, despite Congress's refusal to allocate the requested funds. Critics argue that this reallocation undermines congressional authority and prioritizes political objectives over national security needs. 

 Using Executive Orders to Influence Federal Spending

President Trump has issued several executive orders that directly impact federal spending and agency operations. For instance, Executive Order 14290, signed in May 2025, directed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cease all funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), alleging biased news coverage. This move has been criticized as an attempt to control media narratives and limit access to diverse information sources. 

Withholding Foreign Aid to Advance Political Agendas

The Trump administration has threatened to withhold foreign aid from countries and organizations that do not align with its political or ideological views. In 2025, reports emerged that the administration planned to expand the "Mexico City policy," potentially cutting U.S. funding to foreign governments, NGOs, and international bodies that support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or "gender ideology." Critics argue that this approach undermines global health initiatives and imposes U.S. political values on sovereign nations. 

Impounding Funds to Influence State and Local Policies

The administration has also employed the tactic of impounding funds delaying or withholding congressionally approved spending to influence state and local policies. This practice has been used to pressure states into adopting certain policies or to punish them for opposing federal initiatives. Legal experts contend that such actions violate the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which limits the president's ability to withhold funds appropriated by Congress.

 Campaign Funds Used for Personal Legal Expenses

In a controversial move, President Trump has utilized campaign funds to cover personal legal expenses. This practice exploits loopholes in campaign finance laws and raises ethical concerns about the use of donor money for personal gain. Critics argue that this undermines public trust in the political system and calls for stricter regulations on campaign finance. 

 The Broader Implications of These Actions

These actions reflect a broader strategy to consolidate executive power and bypass traditional checks and balances. By directing federal funds toward personal and political objectives, the administration has faced scrutiny over its commitment to democratic principles and fiscal responsibility. As these practices continue, they raise important questions about the balance of power and the role of government in serving the public interest.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Utah Man, 22, Charged in Killing of Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk

  By Kiranagacha Mwaniki - The Common Pulse - Orem, Utah ;  September 13, 2025 The bustling quad of Utah Valley University was supposed to be a stage for debate and free expression. Instead, it became the scene of political violence that has shocked the nation. Charlie Kirk, 31, a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on September 10 while addressing students at a “Prove Me Wrong” debate. Authorities say the shots came from a nearby rooftop, fired by a young man who had quietly prepared for weeks. On Friday, Utah County officials announced that Tyler James Robinson, 22 , had been taken into custody and charged in connection with Kirk’s killing. He is being held without bail at the Utah County Jail. From Apprentice to Accused Killer Robinson grew up in Washington County, Utah, in what neighbors describe as a quiet household. He worked as an electrical apprentice and once attended Utah State University for a semester in 2021. “He was always ...

Former Miss Universe Contestant Tyra Spaulding of Jamaica Found Dead at 26

  By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa / September 2025    The global pageantry community has been shaken by tragic news coming out of Jamaica. Tyra Spaulding, a former Miss Universe contestant who proudly represented her country on the international stage, has been confirmed dead at the tender age of 26. Her untimely death has sent shockwaves not only through the Caribbean but across the wider world of fashion, beauty, and culture, where she was regarded as one of the rising stars. For a nation that holds its beauty queens close to the heart, the loss is both personal and symbolic. It raises questions about the pressures faced by women in pageantry, the expectations placed on young public figures, and the fragility of life itself. The Rise of Tyra Spaulding in the World of Beauty and Pageantry Tyra Spaulding’s journey into the world of glamour and pageantry began like many others, through small modeling gigs, local com...

No Exit: Biya’s Return, Democracy’s Decline

By Kirangacha Mwaniki The Common Pulse | August 2025 At 92 years old, Cameroonian President Paul Biya has signaled his intention to run for yet another term in the 2025 presidential election. Having ruled since 1982, Biya is now the second-longest-serving head of state in the world;  after Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang. His decision has sparked outrage, resignation, and confusion among Cameroonians, many of whom have never known another leader. This re-election bid is more than just a political event;  it is a glaring symptom of a system that has resisted reform, ignored generational change, and weaponized fear to maintain the status quo. The Man Who Time Forgot Paul Biya came to power before most Cameroonians were born. He has led through the Cold War, the rise of mobile phones, the internet revolution, and the African Continental Free Trade Area — all while aging behind the walls of Etoudi Palace. He is rarely seen in public, often ruling from abroad;  mostly Swit...