‘Spreading Atheism’: Vance warns religious efforts abroad ‘corrupted’ by US bureaucracy amid USAID controversy

Vice President JD Vance recently criticized the U.S. bureaucracy for misusing aid programs to foreign nations, particularly highlighting a program in Nepal that promoted atheism using taxpayer dollars. Speaking at the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C., Vance expressed his concern about how America was funding NGOs to spread atheism globally, stating that this was not in line with protecting the rights of the faithful.

The scrutiny on aid programs comes as the Trump administration investigates waste within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The agency’s website was shut down in February, indicating a reevaluation of its operations. This scrutiny intensified as Elon Musk and his team at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) delved into USAID’s financial records to uncover overspending and corruption.

One of the key issues Vance mentioned was a $500,000 grant solicited by the State Department in 2021 to promote atheism globally. Republican lawmakers raised concerns about the grant, accusing the State Department of misrepresentation and denial regarding efforts to promote atheism under the guise of religious freedom. The grant was awarded to Humanists International, a UK-based organization advocating for secularism and humanism.

The State Department’s funding opportunity aimed to combat discrimination against atheist, humanist, non-practicing, and non-affiliated individuals globally. However, Vance and other critics viewed this as a misuse of taxpayer funds, arguing that the government should focus on protecting religious freedom rather than promoting atheism.

As USAID faces restructuring and increased scrutiny, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasized the need to align the agency with Trump’s “America First” policies. This includes redirecting taxpayer funds to strengthen U.S. communities rather than overseas initiatives. The Department of Government Efficiency’s investigations have sparked backlash from Democrats, who have protested against what they see as a corrupt bargain between Elon Musk and the Trump administration.

Despite the controversy surrounding USAID’s funding decisions, Vance reiterated the administration’s commitment to religious freedom both domestically and internationally. He pledged to restore and expand on the achievements of the previous administration in protecting the rights of religious Americans. As debates over aid programs and government spending continue, the focus remains on ensuring accountability and transparency in how taxpayer dollars are utilized for international initiatives.