Who’s Watching the Wallet? America’s New Sovereign Wealth Fund

Yesterday, President Trump signed an executive order creating a U.S. sovereign wealth fund managed by the Treasury and Commerce Departments. On paper, this fund might seem like a forward-thinking financial move. However, it raises critical concerns: this structure bypasses Congress and centralizes financial control within the executive branch. With few built-in checks and balances, this fund risks becoming a tool for the administration to pursue political objectives with limited oversight.

Why This Matters to You

Everyday Americans may not feel the immediate effects of this fund, but its implications touch us all. Without proper oversight, this fund could be used to channel public money into projects that serve political interests rather than the public good. It sets a dangerous precedent—one where critical fiscal decisions are made behind closed doors, eroding trust in our democratic institutions. The stakes are clear: unchecked executive power puts our economic and political freedoms at risk.

What You Can Do

Here are some straightforward steps you can take to make your voice heard and push back on this troubling development:

1. Contact Your Representatives:
   Script for a phone call:
   “Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [Your City, State]. I’m calling to express my concern about the new U.S. sovereign wealth fund created by the Trump administration. This fund centralizes financial control within the executive branch, bypassing Congress and reducing accountability. I urge you to push for oversight measures and demand transparency. Our democracy depends on checks and balances, and this fund threatens that balance. Thank you for your time.”

2. Sign Petitions and Support Advocacy Groups:
   Look for petitions from trusted organizations that focus on government accountability and transparency. Signing and sharing these petitions amplifies the call for change. Consider supporting groups like Common Cause, Public Citizen, or the Project On Government Oversight (POGO), which work to keep government actions in check.

3. Educate Your Community:
   Host a small gathering—virtual or in-person—to discuss the issue. Share reliable news articles and analysis, and encourage attendees to take action. The more people understand what’s at stake, the stronger the movement for transparency and accountability becomes.

4. Leverage Social Media:
   Share short, impactful posts that highlight the issue, using hashtags like #DemocracyAtRisk, #TransparencyNow, and #KeepCongressInvolved. Create a simple graphic or infographic that explains why this fund is problematic. Tag your representatives and urge your followers to contact them.

By taking these steps, we can push back against efforts to consolidate unchecked power and ensure that decisions about our nation’s finances remain transparent, accountable, and democratically guided.