The Department of the Interior is terminating partnerships with more than three dozen outside organizations as part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to reduce federal spending and eliminate programs it says do not align with its policy priorities.
According to an announcement first obtained by Fox News, the department expects the move to save approximately $4 million that otherwise would have gone to organizations involved in environmental activism, diversity initiatives, and other programs inconsistent with its agenda.
The Interior Department, led by Secretary Doug Burgum, said the decision followed an internal review of roughly 2,000 active contracts and agreements with outside groups.
In a statement, the department said it is “ending partnerships with groups that no longer represent the priorities of the American people.”
The review is part of a broader administration-wide effort to identify wasteful spending, unnecessary contracts, and programs that provide limited public benefit.
According to the department, many of the agreements under review were created during previous administrations and involved organizations engaged in advocacy work rather than direct public land management or conservation efforts.
Among the organizations identified by the department was the Hispanic Access Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on education and community programs for Hispanic Americans, including illegal immigrants.
Interior officials pointed to previous statements from Hispanic Access Foundation leadership describing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients as a vulnerable population deserving additional support and resources.
The department also highlighted Conservation International, a global organization that has advocated for reducing fossil fuel dependence and accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources. Administration officials argued that such positions conflict with President Donald Trump’s energy agenda, which emphasizes expanded domestic oil, natural gas, and coal production.
Another organization affected by the review is The Cultural Landscape Foundation, which works to preserve historic landscapes and cultural sites. The group has been critical of several Trump administration initiatives, including plans for a new White House ballroom and changes to the Kennedy Center.
Matthew Middleton, the department’s principal deputy communications director and director of research, stood by the decision in comments to Fox News.
“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,” Middleton said.
He added that the department intends to focus future investments on projects that directly support public lands, resource management, and outdoor access.
“Interior will continue to invest in partnerships that expand access to public lands, promote responsible stewardship, and deliver tangible benefits to the American people,” Middleton said.
The decision reflects a broader trend across the federal government as Trump administration officials seek to restructure agencies and reduce spending on ideological or politically motivated programs.
The Environmental Protection Agency, under Administrator Lee Zeldin, has similarly pursued organizational changes to reduce costs and streamline operations. Agency officials have estimated those reforms could save hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
The department has not yet released a complete list of all organizations affected by the review, though officials indicated additional contract evaluations may occur in the coming months as the administration continues its government-wide effort to reassess federal spending priorities.
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