The Trump administration announced Friday that it was canceling $810 million in congressionally approved spending for programs serving illegal immigrants, diversity initiatives and other efforts the administration argued do not benefit American citizens.To claw back the funds, President Donald Trump used a "pocket rescission," a budget maneuver the executive branch contends is within its authority but that Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) say exceeds the president's authority.The vast majority of the cuts, some $567 million, were aimed at Health and Human Services programs that provided funding to non-government organizations supporting refugees, asylees and other non-citizens.The White House is also seeking to rescind $25 million for education programs for migrant students, claiming they supported things such as "an LGBT youth summit" and "Therapy for Latinx workshops."FILE - The majority of the cuts were aimed at Health and Human Services programs.(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)TRUMP ADMIN AXES TIES TO DOZENS OF PROGRESSIVE GROUPS IN 'DIRECT OPPOSITION' TO MISSION: 'DECISIVE ACTION'Programs the administration labeled "Woke International Education" were also selected for $70 million in cuts.
The White House said the funding supports bringing foreign students and faculty to the United States and, in some cases, has funded doctoral dissertations on "queer and trans community building in foreign countries."Other programs receiving the axe included a Justice Department office focused on reducing racial tensions, a business development initiative for minority entrepreneurs, Housing and Urban Development Department counseling services, and a series of Health and Human Services grants the administration described as "outright harmful and blatantly ideological."The White House's announcement about the rescissions noted that several of the organizations are led by former officials in President Barack Obama's administration.Sen.Susan Collins, R-Maine...