Confronted with almost $200 million in questionable spending by the U.S. Agency for International Development, congressional Democrats said it was just a pathetic excuse to cut off foreign aid.
The Democrats would not voice support for spending taxpayer dollars on transgender operas, “DEI musicals” and promotion of LGBTQ causes around the world. Instead, they said they didn’t believe it.
“I’d like to see the evidence,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts told The Washington Times when asked about her stance on USAID’s culture war activism.
Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia chalked it up to “mis- and disinformation” from the White House.
“Even if what you say is true, it makes up such a minute portion of federal taxpayer dollars,” he said, insisting that his constituents support U.S. foreign aid. “The value of the expenditures outweighs by far any mistakes that may have been made in terms of individual line items.”
Mr. Johnson and several of his fellow Democrats said the benefits of “soft power” of foreign aid make it all worthwhile.
Democrats have been outraged by President Trump’s moves to shutter USAID after Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency revealed the spending.
The questionable programs bankrolled by USAID included roughly $75 million spent on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in foreign countries.
Hellbound and Down 