The Trump administration and Elon Musk’s government-trimming Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are looking to shut down grant payments to a number of Lutheran nonprofits, alleging that billions in federal funding were used by the church in an illegal “money laundering operation.”
Lutherans immediately pushed back on that assertion, calling it a lie which can be debunked simply by looking at their financial statements. Nevertheless, the conflict put a spotlight on the federal government’s funding of faith-based charitable organizations, particularly those involved in immigration and refugee resettlement.
Could other charities soon be in the crosshairs? Could DOGE shut down federal funding of faith-based charities altogether?
Charity or Crime?
On February 1st, General Mike Flynn, who briefly served for 24 days in the first Trump administration as National Security Advisor before his resignation, posted a spreadsheet detailing federal funding distribution to various Lutheran charities. Flynn alleged that these payments weren’t funding charities at all, but instead a vast money laundering operation fleecing taxpayers of billions.
Flynn specifically pointed to the hundreds of millions of dollars sent to groups like Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service - which partners with the government to help resettle refugees - as proof of this vast conspiracy.
Elon Musk responded after the post went viral, stating that DOGE agents are “rapidly shutting down these illegal payments,” prompting Lutheran leadership to scratch their heads. What, they wondered, is illegal about the payments?
The Charities Respond
Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), issued a response video the next day, hoping to debunk the allegations from Flynn and Musk. “Despite misinformation and baseless doubt cast today on funding that supports Lutheran organizations across our country, the ELCA remains steadfast in our commitment and work with our many Lutheran partners and expressions of our church,” she stated.
Some of the targeted charities took to the media to clarify where, specifically, their funding goes. Rachel Lustig, who heads Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio, explained that their funding helps them operate everything from homeless shelters to health centers to domestic violence shelters to food pantries.
ELCA Pastor Daniel Flucke called the allegations a “lie” and stated plainly that the federal funds were used by Lutheran charities to uplift their communities… not launder money.
“The way our government funds many social services is by contracting with non-profit agencies, many of which are faith-based, because that’s who wants to do the work,” he wrote. “Don’t bear false witness with lies about money laundering.”
Charities at Risk?
One X user broke down Flynn’s chart, showing what, specifically, each line item funded, which ranged from opioid prevention programs to health centers for the underprivileged to Head Start programs for children.
However, the lion’s share of Flynn’s highlighted grants related to refugee resettlement or employment programs, which were likely cherry-picked out of the 1,500 Lutheran Community Services grants awarded in recent years because they had the word “refugee” or “social” in them.
That prompted many to ask: Has anti-undocumented sentiment now extended towards legal refugees? Will taxpayer-funded faith-based charities which provide any services at all to foreigners be shuttered?
We may already be there. Last year, the state of Texas tried to shutter a Catholic charity in the border town of El Paso, accusing them of human trafficking for providing food and shelter to migrants regardless of legal status. And ICE now has unfettered access to enter houses of worship during religious service in their search of undocumented immigrants.
Faith-based charities often help vulnerable communities, including migrants, because few others are willing to. Millions would be impacted if their doors were shuttered.
Supporters of these efforts are left asking: when did charity become a crime?
7 comments
-
Najah P Tamargo
Najah Tamargo-USA
I have no words. I mean, I do have words, but not that I can use here! I have been biting my lips the last few weeks, the blood is real.
-
JT Sunrise
Divine Integrity vs. Earthly Accusations: A Reflection on Alleged Misuse of Federal Funds
By Rev. JTSunrise, Celestial Nexus Church
Recent allegations by the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) claim that billions in federal funding were misused by Lutheran nonprofits in an illegal “money laundering operation.” Such assertions, if taken at face value, strike at the very heart of trust and integrity—values that all faith communities hold dear. However, we must approach these allegations with a sober mind and a discerning heart, remembering that the love of money can corrupt even the purest intentions (1 Timothy 6:10).
It is deeply concerning when government power is used not to seek justice, but to undermine charitable institutions that have long served vulnerable populations. Throughout Scripture, we are reminded that true integrity is measured not by wealth or political influence but by our commitment to serving others with honesty and humility. As Jesus taught in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.” When accusations are leveled against institutions of faith, it is essential that we do not allow political agendas to cloud our judgment or tarnish the sincere efforts of those who labor for the common good.
The charge that Lutheran nonprofits engaged in a vast money laundering scheme appears to be a potent political tool—a means of discrediting and weakening institutions that offer compassion and support in troubled times. We must ask: Is this truly about justice, or is it an attempt to use allegations of financial impropriety as a pretext to curtail the vital work of these organizations? Biblical teachings urge us to seek truth and render justice fairly. Proverbs 21:15 reminds us, “When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” Let us not be swayed by rhetoric that prioritizes political gain over the essential call to care for our neighbor.
In these turbulent times, the true measure of leadership is found in upholding the dignity of all individuals and ensuring that those who serve the vulnerable are not sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. While the allegations require careful investigation, our hearts must remain steadfast in the principles of fairness, compassion, and truth. It is our duty to support institutions that work to alleviate suffering and promote justice, even as we demand transparency and accountability from those in power.
May we remember that God’s justice transcends our earthly systems, and that our call is to remain vigilant, compassionate, and unwavering in our commitment to righteousness. Let us not allow political machinations to distract us from the true mission of service and care for those in need.
— Rev. JTSunrise, Celestial Nexus Church
-
Thunder
Taxpayer money should not be provided to "faith based" anything, period. It's more than enough that they're exempt from paying taxes. In times of need, I've been forced to put up with more than enough sermons before being allowed to have a meal at these soup kitchens (generally also only after the volunteers have rooted through all the stale grocery store rejects first to take home the best for themselves). If they want to proselytize their fake philanthropy and nonsense superstitions, let them do it on their own dime. These are not charities. They're propaganda outlets masquerading as philanthropy, which do nothing but prey upon a captive audience of people who otherwise can't fend for themselves.
-
Robert Gagnon
Lets also cut off presidents well paid spiritual advisors.
-
ServantOfJudgement
With all non Christian members here railing again and again to separate church from state, one will safely expect there to be great praise for this. For years I've read this, years.
However, we're dealing the the Hive Mind. This must be bad for trump to stop giving tax dollars to religions.
-
Reverend Paula Copp
The lengths to which this administration will go to give tax breaks to the rich and screw over the poor is a travesty of justice! May God give them the karma they so richly deserve!
Most Lutherans that I know happily voted for the GOP, and now they are outraged that the leopards are eating their faces. Same with the Catholics and the Evangelicals. These charities are performative at best, with conditions being attached to getting their help. A woman wants to leave an abusive partner? They won't help, because a woman is subservient and obviously needs to submit.
My wife needed a hysterectomy, and the only nearby hospitals were run by religions, who refused because it goes against God's will. It was only when we had access to a public hospital that she was finally able to get the surgery she needed; fortunately for her, her tumors had not grown cancerous. As another commented stated, they use their position as a "charity" to preach to an audience that only wants help, not to be talked down and lectured to.