Hungarian government commissioner András László, responsible for investigating USAID funding in Hungary, provided an update on his ongoing work in the United States. Tracing the flow of US taxpayers’ money that ended up in the hands of the Hungarian opposition, its affiliated self-described ‘independent’ media, and NGOs—disguised as funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID)—, László recently met with officials at the US Department of State to discuss USAID-funded projects in Hungary.
‘The American side acknowledged that many projects raise suspicions of political interference,’ László stated in a post on X. He further added that ‘potential legal consequences’ would be examined.
USAID is at the heart of US President Donald Trump and US billionaire Elon Musk’s efforts to drastically cut government spending. The agency has long been labelled by many as an extension of the CIA, frequently accused of meddling in foreign countries’ domestic affairs. Since Trump moved to shut down the agency, these accusations have been substantiated, revealing an extensive network of NGOs and media outlets funded by USAID grants. These funds were mainly used to promote progressive agenda and to undermine governments that opposed it.
László highlighted that Central Europe, including Hungary, has been significantly affected by USAID’s activities:
‘There is now an investigation into a program specifically tailored to Central European allies of the US. This program aimed to bolster globalist-progressive media, NGOs, and political parties, including in Hungary. USAID documents indicate that at least USD 35 million was planned for these globalist political projects.’
USAID may have also played a key role in attempts to interfere in the 2022 Hungarian elections. Millions of US dollars were reportedly funnelled to the Hungarian opposition through the Washington-based NGO Action for Democracy, an organization with extensive ties to the agency.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has expressed his full support for Trump’s efforts to expose USAID, stating that the world owes a ‘debt of gratitude’ to the US president for revealing and dismantling this ‘dark conspiracy’. He later announced that the Hungarian government would take measures to ensure that all US aid funding directed towards NGOs and media outlets is fully disclosed, declaring that ‘the time has come to eliminate these foreign networks.’
Orbán also addressed the issue in his annual State of the Nation address, where he announced several measures aimed at curbing foreign influence in Hungarian domestic affairs, including legislation modeled after the US Magnitsky Act. He stated that by Easter, ‘[George] Soros’s network’s financial sluice gates’ would be shut down and foreign funding for political activities blocked.
Máté Kocsis, parliamentary leader of Hungary’s governing party, Fidesz, recently announced on social media that they have proposed an amendment to the country’s Fundamental Law. This would include the possibility of expelling Hungarian citizens with dual citizenship if their activities threaten Hungary’s sovereignty, public order, territorial integrity, or security.
Explaining the proposal, Kocsis stated that the measure could be used against NGOs and journalists who serve foreign interests, further reinforcing Hungary’s stance against external interference in its domestic affairs.
Related articles:
