WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Thursday it is canceling $18.5 million in grants approved under the Biden administration that were intended to fund LGBTQ-focused and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
The move, led by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, comes as part of a broader effort to shift resources away from what the agency describes as “ideologically driven” programs and toward national security priorities.
“These cancellations reflect DHS’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and national security,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital. “We are redirecting resources to initiatives that uphold American values, respect the rule of law, and effectively combat terrorism and violence.”
Targeted Grant Programs
The grants, distributed through the DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3), were originally launched to fund organizations focused on community engagement and violence prevention. However, DHS now says many of the recipients were promoting political agendas unrelated to the agency’s core mission.
Among the programs cut:
- $851,836 to the Eradicate Hate Global Summit, labeled by DHS as a DEI-focused organization.
- $209,407 to Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders, which DHS says promotes gender ideology content to children as young as kindergarten.
CP3 was established in 2021 to replace the Office of Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention. While originally aimed at preventing radicalization and targeted violence using public health-based approaches, the program came under scrutiny from conservatives who accused it of promoting left-leaning ideology.
Redirection of Funds
A DHS spokesperson confirmed that the canceled funds will remain within the agency and be redirected to initiatives that “actually protect the American people,” including counterterrorism, border security, and law enforcement training.
The department also revealed that this is not the first round of funding cuts to Biden-era initiatives. Last month, DHS eliminated $1.5 million in grants tied to similar organizations after an internal review raised concerns about how taxpayer money was being used.
Political Fallout
The move is likely to fuel further debate over how taxpayer dollars should be spent, particularly amid growing backlash to federal DEI spending. The Biden administration had heavily emphasized DEI during its term, weaving the framework into nearly every department’s strategic goals.
Critics of the canceled grants, including some LGBTQ and civil rights groups, argue that the DHS decision undercuts efforts to build inclusive and resilient communities. However, Secretary Noem has defended the decision as a necessary course correction.
“We are focused on doing our job — protecting the homeland,” Noem said during a recent press conference. “That means eliminating waste and refocusing our efforts where they count.”
