Trump Orders Agencies to Disclose Details of Wasteful Spending

While talking to reporters, President Donald Trump cited other instances of what his administration has described as wasteful spending.

President Donald Trump (C)—with Secretary of Energy Chris Wright (L) and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum (R)—signs an executive order in the White House halting federal funds for schools and universities that impose coronavirus vaccine mandates, on Feb. 14, 2025. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

President Donald Trump signed on Feb. 18 a memorandum ordering agencies to publicize information about wasteful spending in a move described as enhancing government transparency.

“For too long, taxpayers have subsidized ideological projects overseas and domestic organizations engaged in actions that undermine the national interest,” states the memorandum. “The American people have seen their tax dollars used to fund the passion projects of unelected bureaucrats rather than to advance the national interest.