Americans have long criticized federal tax spending, especially when their hard-earned dollars fund projects and organizations they strongly oppose. Two perennial targets of conservative ire, PBS and Planned Parenthood, are now squarely in the sights of House Speaker Mike Johnson, who recently expressed his desire to defund both during the next Trump administration.
In an interview with Fox News, Johnson didn’t mince words. Asked by host Martha MacCallum whether he supports cutting federal funding for PBS and Planned Parenthood, he replied, “I would like to. That’s for sure.” Johnson noted that these organizations receive significant taxpayer support, making them prime candidates for spending cuts. However, he also acknowledged the political challenge ahead, saying, “We got to build consensus to have the votes to do that.”
Speaker Johnson just confirmed that they will be cutting all funding for PBS and Planned Parenthood
— Texas Patriot (@Texasbrn) December 4, 2024
.@SpeakerJohnson says PBS and Planned Parenthood are on the chopping block
Americans 👏 shouldn’t 👏 have 👏 to 👏 pay 👏 for 👏 propaganda 👏 and 👏 murder 👏 pic.twitter.com/3tLpoX5KZH
— Media Research Center (@theMRC) December 4, 2024
Johnson suggested that immediate action might come from the executive branch, hinting at President-elect Trump’s willingness to wield executive authority. “Now, some of this will be done by executive order out of the White House. He has broad authority to do a lot of that,” Johnson said, emphasizing that areas requiring congressional approval would take more effort to align the legislative votes.
The proposal to defund Planned Parenthood has deep roots in conservative circles. Vice President-elect JD Vance echoed similar sentiments during the campaign, reiterating the Trump administration’s position that taxpayer dollars should not fund late-term abοrtions. Planned Parenthood has been a longstanding focal point for conservative criticism due to its abοrtion services, despite the organization’s claim that the majority of its work involves other reproductive health services.
PBS, often lauded for its educational programming, has also faced scrutiny from conservatives who question why a publicly funded entity should compete with private broadcasters. Critics argue that PBS can thrive without taxpayer money, pointing to lucrative corporate sponsorships and private donations.
Support for Johnson’s stance flooded social media, with many conservatives applauding his prioritization of spending cuts that align with their values. Yet, the pushback is likely to be fierce. Defunding either organization would require overcoming significant Democratic opposition, as well as resistance from moderates within Johnson’s own party.
As Johnson prepares to tackle these budget battles, his proposals highlight a broader conservative effort to reshape federal spending priorities. Whether these efforts succeed will depend on building consensus in a divided Congress and navigating the political minefields that come with tackling such hot-button issues.
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