UN Prepares for Budget Tightening as DOGE Targets Waste: Internal Memo Reveals

The United Nations is scrambling to prepare for potential U.S. funding cuts as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) sharpens its focus on eliminating waste. An internal memo obtained by Fox News Digital reveals the organization is bracing for financial strain, urging departments to manage their budgets with extreme caution.

The document, titled "Managing the 2025 Regular Budget Liquidity Crisis," came directly from U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, advising department heads to work with just 80% of their allocated funds and freeze hiring. "We are aware that the 80% ceiling could pose significant challenges for many entities," the memo admits, "but we are constrained by the lack of overall liquidity." Translation? It’s time to tighten the belt—or maybe find a new one altogether.

Despite the grim tone of the memo, U.N. insiders reportedly doubt that the hiring freeze will actually be enforced. Hugh Dugan, a former Principal Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, expressed skepticism over whether these measures reflect "real cuts" or are simply posturing for the public eye. Still, the personnel freeze alone has left many surprised.

Adding to the growing tensions, Secretary-General Guterres has called for a virtual town hall later this month to address the U.N.'s financial situation. The vague invitation, lacking an official topic, has drawn criticism from some observers, including Dugan, who commented that the absence of urgency "sends the wrong message." In fairness, when is the last time a meeting invite labeled itself "panic-inducing"?

For years, the U.N. has relied on creative financial maneuvering and its leverage on the global stage to navigate crises. But as Dugan noted, the assumption that the U.N. can pressure the U.S. into continued support has become "preposterous" in recent years. This shift in dynamics follows former President Donald Trump’s scathing critique of "appalling waste" within the organization, highlighted during a Congressional address.

In response to the leaked memo, U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric emphasized that this isn’t a new issue, attributing the liquidity crisis to chronic underpayments and late contributions from member states. According to Dujarric, the memo was not a "direct result of the political situation in the U.S." but rather a recurring challenge the U.N. has faced for decades.

Still, the specter of DOGE-inspired cuts looms large. If other major donors follow the U.S.'s lead in reevaluating their contributions, the U.N. could find itself in uncharted waters. Guterres, for his part, has attempted to rally morale, recently penning a letter to staff urging them to stay committed. "Now, more than ever, the work of the United Nations is crucial," the letter read. "Your dedication and support will help us to overcome and move forward." Inspiring words, though one imagines they might ring hollow to staff worried about their next paycheck.