(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.
Three Reasons a Coffee Gift Set From This Christian Company Is Perfect for Christmas
When you’re searching for a Christmas gift that’s meaningful, useful, and rooted in faith, you don’t want to settle for anything generic. This season is filled with noise — mass-produced products, last-minute picks, and trends that fade as quickly as they appear. But one gift stands apart because it blends genuine quality with a message that matters: a coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee.
This small Christian-owned company has become a favorite among believers who want to support faith-driven businesses while giving friends and family something they’ll actually enjoy. Here are three reasons a Promised Grounds Coffee gift set may be the most thoughtful and impactful present you give this year.
1. It’s Truly Delicious Coffee
Too many “gift-worthy” coffees look beautiful in the package but disappoint when the cup is poured. Promised Grounds takes the opposite approach — exceptional taste first, thoughtful presentation second.
Their beans are sourced with care, roasted in small batches, and crafted to bring out a rich, smooth flavor profile that appeals to both casual drinkers and true coffee lovers. Whether someone enjoys bold, dark roasts or lighter, more delicate blends, every sip reflects quality that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest specialty brands.
Simply put: this coffee is good. Really good. Some say it’s absolutely fantastic. If you want a gift that won’t be re-gifted, ignored, or shoved in a cabinet, this is it.
2. It Spreads the Word While Serving a Real Purpose
There are many Christian gifts that are meaningful… but not exactly practical. There are also useful gifts that have nothing to do with faith. Promised Grounds Coffee bridges both worlds beautifully.
Each gift set delivers an encouraging, faith-centered message through its packaging and presentation — a simple but powerful reminder of God’s goodness during the Christmas season. The cups are especially popular and serve as a daily reminder of the blessings from our Lord. At the same time, the product itself is something people will actually use and appreciate every single day.
It’s a gift that uplifts the spirit and fills the mug. A gift that points loved ones toward Scripture while still being part of the normal rhythm of life. And in a culture that increasingly pushes faith to the margins, giving a gift that quietly but confidently honors Christ can make a deeper impact than you might expect.
3. It’s Affordable, Valuable, and Elegantly Presented
Many people want to give something meaningful without breaking their Christmas budget. Promised Grounds Coffee strikes that perfect balance — the sets look and feel premium, but the price remains accessible.
The packaging is classy, clean, and gift-ready, making it ideal for:
- Family members of all ages
- Co-workers or employees
- Church friends or small-group leaders
- Hosts, neighbors, and last-minute gift needs
It’s the kind of gift that feels more expensive than it is — and more thoughtful than most of what you’ll find on store shelves.
The Perfect Blend of Faith, Flavor, and Christmas Cheer
A coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee checks every box: a gift that tastes amazing, conveys your faith, supports a Christian business, and brings daily enjoyment to the person who receives it. In a season when so many gifts are forgotten, this one stands out for all the right reasons.
If you want a Christmas present that reflects your values and delivers genuine joy, Promised Grounds Coffee is the perfect place to start.
