A review by the Department of the Interior has led to the axing of thousands of agreements made with groups “operating in direct opposition” to the Trump administration’s priorities.
Secretary Doug Burgum reportedly led the review, which resulted in the cutting of 43 partnerships with outside groups, “eliminating more than $4 million in planned funding for programs tied to DEI, environmental justice and support services for illegal immigrants,” Fox News reported.
“Under Secretary Burgum, the Department of the Interior is ending partnerships with groups that no longer represent the priorities of the American people,” the department said, according to the network.
“The terminated agreements supported internship programs, conservation initiatives, research projects and cooperative partnerships,” Fox News noted. “A department-wide review launched in March uncovered nearly 3,000 active agreements with about 2,000 outside groups, ranging from NGOs and nonprofits to private entities and educational institutions.”
The department noted after a later review that several “did not appear to provide a clear benefit” or “did not align with the department’s mission.”
Hispanic Access Foundation, which is one of the groups to be axed, worked in the past with the National Park Service “to conduct a variety of educational and cultural support activities,” according to the department. The group also offered scholarships for immigrant Latino students who are in the country illegally.
The American Alliance of Museums reportedly had a contract with the National Park Service to create DEI programs across national parks and its Facing Change initiative promoted DEI efforts at museums, according to the department. The group Latino Outdoors was also targeted in the purge, a California-based organization that reportedly furnished illegal immigrants with instructions on avoiding detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Why was the Dept of Interior funding this?
The Dept of the Interior is cutting 43 partnerships with outside groups, cutting more than $4 million in planned funding for programs tied to DEI, environmental justice & support services for illegal immigrants. https://t.co/lhK1uJM2XW
— John R Lott Jr. (@JohnRLottJr) June 11, 2026
Other groups flagged were Conservation International, which the department said advocates for a “total phase out of fossil fuels,” and The Cultural Landscape Foundation, had an agreement with the NPS “to conduct a variety of educational and cultural support activities.”
The department is also reportedly ending ties with The Green Schools Alliance, Doris Duke Foundation, National Wildlife Federation, California Native Plant Society, Clean Ocean Action and the National Geographic Society.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Burgum, the Department of the Interior is taking decisive action to ensure its partnerships and resources support the priorities of this administration and the interests of the American people,” the principal deputy communications director and director of research, Matthew Middleton, told Fox News Digital.
“As part of that commitment, the Department is ending relationships with organizations whose advocacy for phasing out baseload energy, defunding law enforcement services, and promoting racially preferential programs directly conflicts with this administration’s priorities,” he added. “Interior will continue to invest in partnerships that expand access to public lands, promote responsible stewardship, and deliver tangible benefits to the American people.”
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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