The grants appear to be separate from other grants of $12m which the US state department is planning<\/a> to allocate to organisations in the UK <\/a>founded by the prominent Conservatives Jacob Rees-Mogg and Toby Young.<\/p>\n Those intended grants, revealed in US government documents leaked to the Guardian, are part of a package of support for European groups viewed favourably by the Trump administration.<\/p>\n However, the US government has now been accused of \u201cmeddling in British democracy\u201d after documents published on the US embassy\u2019s website invited charities, non-profit organisations and others to apply for grants under a scheme labelled \u201cLiberty Under Law: The Shared Anglo-American Tradition\u201d.<\/p>\n It seeks \u201cinnovative, high-visibility public education and civic-engagement programs\u201d that \u201cdeepen public understanding of the shared Anglo-American common law tradition\u201d and to commemorate the 70th anniversary next year of the American Bar Association (ABA)\u2019s unveiling of the Magna Carta memorial in Runnymede.<\/p>\n The ABA \u2013 which is not involved in the grant scheme \u2013 is suing the Trump administration over alleged intimidation of lawyers and legal firms. European counterparts including the Law Society and the Bar Association in Britain have voiced support for US lawyers claiming that the US president\u2019s attacks on law firms bear similarities to events in Nazi Germany<\/a>.<\/p>\n A notice offering the funding states: \u201cPriority will be given to ambitious initiatives that connect foundational principles, such as freedom of speech, due process, trial by jury, limited government, rule of law, property rights, taxation by consent, and ordered liberty to contemporary civic life.\u201d<\/p>\n Proposed projects must meet one or more of a number of objectives, including the need to \u201cdemonstrate measurable impact on public discourse, media coverage, and civic engagement regarding the rule of law and democratic norms\u201d.<\/p>\n Lisa Smart, a Liberal Democrat MP and the party\u2019s Cabinet Office spokesperson, said: \u201cMagna Carta aimed to limit the powers of tyrants and said everyone was subject to the rule of law, something for which Trump has repeatedly shown utter contempt.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a proud tradition of liberty and freedom of speech in this country and we don\u2019t need Trump\u2019s Maga money meddling in our democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n There is also deep unease among serving and recently departed US state department officials. One told the Guardian: \u201cWhile it\u2019s not unusual to support public diplomacy efforts to showcase the special relationship between the US and UK, to specifically fund topics related to a narrow vision of America First is highly unusual.\u201d<\/p>\n The same person accused the US government of trying to \u201ccreate UK-originated narratives to support Maga propaganda\u201d.<\/p>\n The notice states that the funding is not intended to support partisan political activity or lobbying.<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/a>Free newsletter | Every weekday<\/p>\n Sign up to First Edition<\/p>\n Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what\u2019s happening and why it matters<\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n A spokesperson at the US embassy in London said the funding initiative aimed to strengthen US-UK ties \u201cand deepen public understanding of the constitutional principles, rule of law, and democratic norms that underpin both nations\u201d.<\/p>\n Responding to Smart\u2019s allegation of \u201cmeddling\u201d, they added: \u201cThe Embassy is mindful of such concerns, and has discontinued Biden-era public diplomacy spending on divisive ideological projects such as \u2018climate justice,\u2019 LGBTQ activism, and race-based hiring initiatives \u2013 none of which, to our recollection, raised such complaints from officials.\u201d<\/p>\n Eyebrows have also been raised by veteran former state department officials at some language used in a second grant opportunity being offered by the US embassy\u2019s website under its Public Diplomacy Section program, an annual grant scheme.<\/p>\n Applications, including those intending to run \u201cEducational and public awareness initiatives\u201d, are invited to submit proposals for goals including strengthening US prosperity and UK economic resilience, securing UK support for US policy including \u201censuring support for Israel\u2019s right to defend itself\u201d and countering competition from China.<\/p>\n A former state department official said: \u201cIn the past the language for this stuff would be more like \u2018increase understanding of US policy\u2019. This is very openly saying more \u2018persuade people to agree with US policy\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIncreasing support for Israel in a third country is weird. Can\u2019t say if it\u2019s ever been done, but it\u2019s weird.\u201d<\/p>\n Get in touch<\/p>\n Contact Ben Quinn about this story<\/p>\n If you have something to share about this story, you can contact Ben using one of the following methods:<\/p>\n Secure Messaging in the Guardian app<\/p>\n The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS<\/a>\/Android<\/a>) and go to the menu. Select \u2018Secure Messaging\u2019. When asked to choose a recipient please switch to the Journalists list and select Ben Quinn.<\/p>\n SecureDropIf you can safely use the tor network without being observed or monitored you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782846071_379_1000.jpg\")
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