An order signed by President Trump aims to give political appointees power over billions of dollars in grants awarded by federal agencies.

President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order that will give him and his political appointees unprecedented control over grants from the NIH, NSF and other agencies.

WASHINGTON >> President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to tighten federal grant approvals, with grant award decisions to now undergo evaluation by Trump’s political appointees, the White House said.

Federal agencies must ensure political appointees sign off on all grants and that such awards comply with the administration policy, President Trump ordered on Thursday, which has federal employees in charge of that funding concerned about added bureaucracy and political interference.

Trump's executive order erects unparalleled hurdles that may undermine the importance of independent setting of research priorities and peer review by scientific experts.

President Donald Trump directed federal agency leaders to increase oversight of taxpayer-funded grants in an executive order Thursday, noting that past funding has gone to “drag shows in Ecuador” and the promotion of DEI.