Trump administration's cost-cutting unit DOGE halts $29m funding for ‘Strengthening political framework in Bangladesh’

The department, reportedly led by billionaire Elon Musk, announced the cancellation of $29 million in funding allocated for "strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh."

In a post on X listing various discontinued US-funded initiatives, DOGE stated, "USD 29M to 'strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh' has been stopped."

This development follows US President Donald Trump’s recent denial of allegations regarding America’s involvement in regime change in Bangladesh. The accusations surfaced after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted last year during a nationwide student-led protest.

The now-cancelled programme, "Strengthening the Political Landscape in Bangladesh" (SPL), was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the former UK Department for International Development.

According to Democracy International (DI), SPL aimed to enhance political party capacity, improve relationships between parties and constituents, and curb political violence.

DI stated that the programme provided training to political activists and citizens, equipping them with leadership skills, advocacy tools for inclusive policies, and mechanisms to engage constructively in conflict resolution.

Additionally, SPL focused on reducing political violence by working with political parties, grassroots activists, and university students, monitoring violent incidents, and promoting peaceful alternatives.

Trump on alleged US role in Bangladesh’s political crisis

During a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, Trump dismissed claims of US involvement in Bangladesh’s political crisis.

He asserted that India has managed the issue for a long time.

When asked whether the previous Democratic administration under Joe Biden had orchestrated a regime change in Bangladesh by installing Muhammad Yunus as a chief adviser, Trump responded, "There is no role for our deep state. This is something that the Prime Minister has been working on for a long time and has worked on for hundreds of years... I have been reading about it."

Gesturing towards Modi, he added, "I will leave Bangladesh to the PM."

While Trump refrained from directly addressing the question, his remarks have fuelled speculation that his administration may take a hands-off approach to Bangladesh, where alleged radical Islamist factions have been accused of targeting religious minorities, including Hindus.

Other Biden-era funding cuts by DOGE

In its X post, DOGE outlined additional spending cuts from the Biden era, including $22 million meant for "voter turnout in India" and $39 million for "fiscal federalism" and "biodiversity conservation" in Nepal.

These measures align with DOGE’s ongoing efforts to reshape government spending over recent weeks.

Nepal’s "Fiscal Federalism" initiative

Following the adoption of its 2015 constitution, Nepal transitioned into a federal system, establishing three tiers of government—one federal, seven provincial, and 753 local governments—by 2017.

The fiscal federalism initiative is rooted in the principle that "not a single penny should be spent without parliamentary approval." Nepal’s constitution includes detailed provisions outlining financial processes for federal, provincial, and local governments, according to a report by International Alert.

About DOGE

The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, has been aggressively slashing government expenditures. Led by Musk, the department has scrutinised federal agencies in recent weeks, seeking ways to implement budget cuts as part of Trump’s broader effort to restructure and downsize the US government.