President Donald Trump is making more federal cuts, this time targeting an international media organization, public libraries, and homelessness reduction.
An executive order signed by the president on Friday March 14 slashes funding to seven federal agencies: the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, U.S. Agency for Global Media, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in the Smithsonian Institution, Institute of Museum and Library Services, U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and Minority Business Development Agency.
In protest of the order, the American Library Association released a statement that encourages the president to reconsider his “short-sighted decision.”
“By eliminating the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Trump administration’s executive order is cutting off at the knees the most beloved and trusted of American institutions and the staff and services they offer,” the statement reads, citing examples of summer reading programs for kids, braille books for readers with visual impairments and small business support for entrepreneurs.
Here’s what to know about each of the agencies.
As outlined by the executive order, Trump selected these seven agencies as he determined them “unnecessary.”
A White House Fact Sheet outlines that the Department of Government Efficiency, the federal advisory agency led by billionaire Elon Musk, identified the agencies worth slashing.
“Cutting these governmental entities will save taxpayer dollars, reduce unnecessary government spending, and streamline government priorities,” the fact sheet states.
The Trump administration did not immediately respond for comment about the order when contacted by USA TODAY on Saturday.
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service provides conflict management services for enhancing labor-management relationships. The independent federal agency provides training, mediation, facilitation, dispute systems design and other resolution services to federal agencies, according to its website.
An example of the agency’s work includes, if an agency and union have negotiated over a particular subject and have been able to reach a mutual decision, the parties may seek assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, according to the U.S. Federal Labor Relations Authority.
The Mediation and Conciliation Service was established in 1947.
The U.S. Agency for Global Media oversees all U.S. non-military, international broadcasting. The agency operates six networks: Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, Radio Free Asia, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks and Open Technology Fund.
Across these six networks, the agency provides news in 64 languages to more than 427 million people, according to its website.
“President Trump is delivering on his promise to make our government more efficient. American taxpayers should not be funding anti-American propaganda in the name of journalism,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told USA TODAY about the cut.
The Agency for Global Media was established in 1994 by President Bill Clinton. At the time, the agency was known as the Broadcasting Board of Governors, according to the agency’s website. The agency’s name was changed in 2018.
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in the Smithsonian Institution, commonly known as just the Wilson Center, conducts research and provides nonpartisan counsel on global affairs to policymakers internationally.
The center operates more than 20 programs that aim to bridge the gap between the U.S. and other countries and specialize in various topics to address global issues. Countless events are also held by the Wilson Center throughout the year to educate citizens about global history and provide spaces for communal discussion.
The Wilson Center was established in 1968 to honor President Woodrow Wilson.
Through grants, research and policy development, the Institute of Museum and Library Services supports museums, libraries, archives and other similar organizations through the United States.
During the 2024 fiscal year, the institute was budgeted more than $294 million, according to the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ fiscal year budget for 2023-2025. In 2024, the institute awarded $266.7 million to museums, libraries and archives throughout the country.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services was established in 1996.
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness coordinates a federal response to homelessness, working to create partnerships with government agencies and in the private sector, according to the agency’s website. The council works with 19 federal organizations in an effort to end homelessness, including the Department of Education, Department of Defense, Department of Transportation and Department of Labor.
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness was established in 1987 by the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act.
Part of the U.S. Department of Treasury, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund promotes economic revitalization and community development in underserved communities throughout the country.
For example, the fund’s Community Development Financial Institutions Program provides loans, investments, financial services and technical assistance to institutions in these communities.
The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund was established in 1994 under the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act.
The Minority Business Development Agency aims to promote growth among Minority Business Enterprises, or MBEs, by providing technical assistance programs.
An MBE is a for-profit business that is at least 51% owned or managed by a qualifying minority group. To be qualified, a person must be a U.S. resident who is Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic or Native America, according to the National Minority Supplier Development Council.
During the 2023 fiscal year, the Minority Business Development Agency facilitated $1.5 billion worth of capital to MBEs and helped create 19,000 jobs, according to the agency’s website.
The Minority Business Development Agency was founded in 1969 when President Richard Nixon established the Office of Minority Business Enterprise.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
