In a last-minute move ahead of the September 30 fiscal year deadline, the Trump administration has proposed allocating over $175 million from the State Department’s human rights and democracy fund (HRDF) to a series of grants supporting rightwing and conservative causes worldwide. The controversial funding plan marks a significant departure from traditional U.S. approaches to human rights assistance, drawing criticism from lawmakers and human rights advocates concerned about the focus and potential diplomatic fallout.

The planned awards include a $40 million grant to the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (VOC), a nonprofit dedicated to anti-communist initiatives. The foundation, previously awarded relatively modest sums, is closely linked to former Trump administration officials, including Andrew Bremberg, a former White House domestic policy adviser and U.S. ambassador to the European Union office. A deputy assistant secretary within the State Department overseeing parts of the grant process, Samuel Samson, has promoted narratives emphasizing a shared civilizational struggle between the U.S. and Europe, targeting migration issues and opposing what he describes as radical concepts like gender theory.

Other grants target varied activities such as supporting a white Afrikaner rights group in South Africa, funding civil society groups opposing Brazil’s Supreme Court, and backing ideological allies in Europe who challenge regulation, migration policies, and “gender ideology.” Some grants would advance conservative causes in countries including Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and the Balkans, emphasizing anti-communism and "natural rights."

According to people familiar with the process, many of these awards have received direct attention and lobbying from senior officials within the Trump administration and the White House, reflecting a redefinition of human rights funding priorities. This approach has alarmed critics who view the moves as using U.S. taxpayer dollars to prop up far-right organizations and undermine established democratic values globally.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticized the proposal as a misuse of funds intended to support human rights defenders and democratic growth, warning it could damage diplomatic relations with U.S. allies in Europe and elsewhere. Shaheen has placed a partial hold on funding for some of the contested grants, setting the stage for a potential confrontation with the State Department as the fiscal year deadline nears.

Among the other notable grants in the proposed slate are a $1 million award targeting what is described as judicial overreach by Brazil’s Supreme Court, following U.S. sanctions against Justice Alexandre de Moraes last year, and a $2 million program promoting “Western Civilization Allies” that excludes recipients who embrace “ideologically weaponized accounts of human rights, such as gender ideology.”

Several planned grants have been withdrawn amid controversy. For instance, a proposed $5 million no-bid award to the British Free Speech Union, a group campaigning against online safety laws, was reportedly rescinded after the group denied applying for or receiving U.S. government funds. A separate $7 million grant advocating for Brexit as a means to reduce U.K. climate regulations has also been dropped.

The proposal further includes funding for early-warning networks protecting Christians in Nigeria and countermeasures against perceived “democratic backsliding” in Europe linked to migration and supranational legislation. Some of these initiatives involve organizations with ties to British Conservative figures, including Matthew Elliott, former leader of the Vote Leave campaign, who would receive $3 million for promoting pro-business policies aligned with U.S. investment interests.

A previously planned grant to 878, a think tank advocating for the restoration of Judeo-Christian culture and immigration restriction, was abandoned following congressional pushback. Founded by former British Brexit minister Jacob Rees-Mogg, the organization had attracted significant controversy.

The State Department has declined to comment on specific grants, stating the programs remain under “active deliberation” and that award recipients will adhere to federal grant guidelines after comprehensive vetting. An official emphasized the administration’s aim to support European allies in defending political liberty, free speech, and sovereignty amidst geopolitical challenges.

As the funding deadline looms, the fate of these grants remains uncertain amid increasing scrutiny from Congress and concerns about the shifting priorities of U.S. democracy and human rights assistance under the current administration.