(The Center Square)–In the wake of repeated comments from Elon Musk calling non-governmental organizations “one of the biggest sources of fraud in the world,” the House Department of Government Efficiency subcommittee held a hearing Wednesday further exploring the nature of their relationship to the government.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., called NGOs the “fifth branch of government” in her opening remarks.
“If the permanent bureaucracy is the de facto fourth branch of the government, then these leftist NGOs are the fifth,” Greene said.
Non-governmental organizations are non-profits that typically focus on addressing social, humanitarian, environmental or economic development issues, sometimes internationally.
Their missions are often government-adjacent and often contract with the government to carry out government programs, while still operating independently, they’re referred to as “non-governmental.”
However, Greene highlighted that NGOs can receive most – sometimes, nearly all – of their funding from government grants or contracts and then individuals within that organization can donate to the political campaigns of the party that helped secure their funding.
“The scheme works in a cycle… Democrat administration officials work with leftist NGOs to implement programs in a manner that ensures those NGOs receive massive grants and contracts. The leaders of those recipient groups then turn around and donate to Democrat political campaigns,” Greene said.
And because they often work so closely with the government, NGOs can significantly influence federal agency policies and practices.
“Federal agencies fund the NGOs, and the NGOs shape the agency’s behavior. It can be hard to tell, to tell where the government ends and the NGO begins. The nonprofits essentially serve as an arm of the government,” Greene said.
The end of the cycle is completed by political appointees who leave government work or are pushed out through administration changes who then go to work for one of the NGOs they partnered with in government. They then donate their “cushy salary to campaigns,” according to Greene.
However, because NGOs aren’t government entities, they’re not subject to the same kind of oversight or accountability as government agencies.
Diane Yentel, president of the National Council of Nonprofits, testified in defense of NGOs. Despite non-profits providing help to “all Americans” of “every political persuasion,” Yentel said that non-profits are being targeted by the Trump administration for political reasons.
“Across the country, nonprofits are having federal funding slashed or eliminated,” Yentel said, “due to arbitrary cuts of congressionally approved spending.”
“There are repeated threats against nonprofits that hold views that don’t align with this administration from statements calling for the illegal, unilateral revoking of their tax-exempt status, to attempted takeovers, audits and even threats of civil or criminal investigations by the federal government, not for any wrongdoing, but for doing work at odds with the administration’s ideology,” Yentel continued.
Ranking committee member Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., said that the Trump administration was “withholding a half trillion dollars illegally” from nonprofits, as federal funding freezes, DOGE-driven contract cuts and other executive actions have directly impacted nonprofits.
“The truth is simple, neither the president nor any other executive branch official has the power to unilaterally revoke an organization’s tax exempt status or to use these authoritarian tactics to try to intimidate our nonprofit and civil society organizations,” Stansbury said.
The president has threatened to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status and has questioned the tax-exempt status of other organizations.
Stansbury maintained in her closing remarks that the administration is trying to justify illegal action against nonprofits it disagrees with politically, and Greene contended that Democrats have used the lack of oversight NGOs have to enrich friends and accomplish illicit activity.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
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The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
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As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.