Donald Trump’s war against ‘biased media’ crumbles as Republicans force him to fund $643 million agency he wants destroyed

Congressional Republicans just approved $643 million in funding for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), an organization Donald Trump has actively tried to destroy, which works on radio, television, internet, and broadcasting, primarily focused on the Middle East.

This massive funding, which passed both chambers of Congress this week, was included as part of the must-pass National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Act (NSRP). Ultimately, the GOP chose legislative unity and avoiding a government shutdown over adhering to the president’s long-standing opposition to the agency.

The president claimed the organization had a clear anti-Republican bias and doesn’t serve the country’s domestic interests. However, the courts ruled that the administration simply lacked the power to remove its congressionally approved funding, so the agency stayed open.

So Trump can’t just take down media he hates

The reality is that Republicans are currently working with razor-thin margins in the House. They hold just a two-seat majority, which is precarious following the recent retirement of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and the sudden death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif.

Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., a member of the fiscally conservative House Freedom Caucus, made it clear that he personally wants the agency gone. He supports the president’s actions and executive orders.

“I would prefer that the federal government funds zero,” Higgins stated moments before the vote. “We just don’t have extra money to spend on things.”

But even with that strong personal opposition, Higgins voted to advance the funding bill, underscoring the tough political calculation lawmakers had to make. He emphasized that Republicans must pick their battles carefully, and not that some did the right thing when the time came.

“I’m not going to let something like that stop me from supporting the larger measure,” Higgins added. “We don’t have the luxury of just casually opposing our own bills. It’s just so tight, man. So, our goal is to pass our legislation — especially when you’re faced with the alternative of a government shutdown.”

While the full $643 million was approved, some Republicans claim they still managed to move toward the president’s wishes by trimming the budget. Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., who worked on the NSRP, pointed out that the bill includes a significant reduction.

“I think the cuts that we’re making, which is a 25% reduction, is a significant step forward to meeting what Kari Lake wants as well,” Alford said.

Kari Lake is a senior advisor for the agency and has close ties to President Trump. Alford confirmed he consulted with her during the process. “She seemed to me like we’re on the same team on this,” he commented, adding that he hopes they can do even more cutting in the 2027 appropriations bill.

This successful passage, despite the internal conflict, shows just how much leverage Democrats have in the current climate. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., noted that the package was the result of intense bipartisan negotiations.

“How things get into these appropriations bills in this climate — all we do is advocate and leverage whatever we have,” Quigley said, summing up the legislative chess game beautifully. “Some days you’re the bug, some days you’re the windshield.”

The NSRP, complete with the USAGM funding, has now cleared Congress and is headed straight to President Trump’s desk for his signature. It’s going to be interesting to see if he signs off on a bill that funds an agency he tried so hard to eliminate.