Politics
NEW: Trump Drops The Hammer On Infamous Left-Wing Group
The Trump administration is preparing to freeze federal family-planning grants—totaling as much as $120 million—while it examines whether the funds have been diverted to support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the move would impact organizations such as Planned Parenthood affiliates. An official from the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that a freeze of $27.5 million is under immediate consideration, with a halt expected soon.
The Journal reported that the administration intends to withhold the money while the administration reviews whether any of the funds were used in diversity efforts. The pause could be announced as early as this week, the report said.
A source close to the matter described the freeze as part of an effort to determine if public health dollars have been redirected toward DEI programs—an area the administration has targeted for rollback across federal agencies. The potential freeze would affect access to services like pregnancy testing, contraception, STI treatment, and infertility counseling.
Planned Parenthood CEO Alexis McGill Johnson told The Wall Street Journal the administration is determined to shut down Planned Parenthood facilities, warning that “they’ll end people’s access to birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and more to do it.”
NEW ORLEANS, LA, USA – FEBRUARY 28, 2024: Front of the Planned Parenthood building on Claiborne Avenue
The funds were initially set to be distributed through the federal Title X program, which provides free or low-cost services to about four million people annually. However, only $120 million—half of the intended amount—is currently being directed toward the 4,000 clinics. The Trump administration has not specified how long the review process will take or whether the remaining funds will be reallocated.
“HHS is reviewing grantees to ensure compliance with President Trump’s Executive Orders,” a Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson told Reuters.
The Trump administration has consistently targeted Planned Parenthood and similar organizations through regulatory actions and executive orders aimed at limiting federal funding, especially if abortion services are involved.
In January, President Trump signed Executive Order 14182, titled “Enforcing the Hyde Amendment.” The Hyde Amendment already prevents federal funds from being used for elective abortions, but this executive order reinforced that restriction and revoked previous Biden-era orders that expanded access to abortion-related care.
The order tightened rules for federal grants, demanding stricter audits and compliance to ensure taxpayer dollars are not indirectly supporting abortion services. Historically, the administration’s actions against Planned Parenthood date back to its first term.
In 2019, it introduced a rule barring Title X family planning recipients from referring patients for abortions. In response, Planned Parenthood withdrew from the Title X program entirely, forfeiting about $60 million annually.
The Trump-Vance ticket made no secret about its intentions to defund Planned Parenthood entirely if re-elected. Vice President JD Vance said that he and Trump are committed to stripping Planned Parenthood of all federal support.
The administration is pursuing a full defunding plan through executive orders, regulatory changes, and rhetorical pressure, setting the stage for an even more aggressive approach for the second term.
