Judicial Watch has filed a lawsuit against the State Department to uncover how American taxpayer dollars were allegedly funneled to Hungarian media outlets opposing Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government.
At a Glance
- Judicial Watch is suing the State Department for records on grants made to Hungarian media outlets critical of Prime Minister Viktor Orban
- The lawsuit alleges that the Biden administration awarded grants to anti-government media and organizations on its last day in office
- Recipients reportedly include opposition-aligned outlets such as 444, Átlátszó, Jelen, Magyar Hang, and Klubrádió
- The watchdog group has previously uncovered U.S. funding for Soros-backed organizations in Eastern European countries
The Lawsuit’s Background
Judicial Watch has initiated legal action against the U.S. Department of State after the agency failed to respond to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed in January 2025. The request sought documentation regarding grants distributed through the Independent Media Support Fund and Free Media Grant Program in Hungary, programs that allegedly directed American funding to media organizations opposed to Hungary’s current leadership.
The complaint centers on actions reportedly taken during the final day of the Biden administration, when the U.S. Embassy in Budapest allegedly awarded significant grants to Hungarian media outlets and organizations that have been openly critical of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government. This timing has raised questions about the political motivations behind such eleventh-hour funding decisions.
Recipients of U.S. Funding
According to Judicial Watch’s filing, U.S. taxpayer dollars were directed to several Hungarian media outlets and organizations aligned with opposition politics. These reportedly include news platforms 444, Átlátszó, Jelen, and Magyar Hang, radio broadcaster Klubrádió, and the Hungarian branch of Transparency International. Each of these organizations has been characterized as being critical of Orban’s leadership.
According to the Judicial Watch: “We argued that the recordings should be released “because an open question remains about whether Special Counsel Hur’s conclusion that President Biden should not be prosecuted for his mishandling of classified records is supported by the evidence.”
This lawsuit is not isolated but represents part of a broader effort by Judicial Watch to examine how American foreign aid is being allocated. The organization has previously pursued similar legal actions regarding U.S. aid to Ukraine and funds designated for use in Gaza, suggesting a pattern of scrutiny over international financial assistance under the Biden administration.
History of Similar Funding Patterns
The current legal challenge follows previous investigations by Judicial Watch that uncovered connections between U.S. government funding and organizations associated with George Soros in Eastern Europe. In 2018, the watchdog group obtained documents showing collaboration between Soros representatives and the State Department in Romania, as well as USAID funding for Soros-affiliated organizations in Albania.
Those earlier documents revealed that U.S. grant money was being used to support what Judicial Watch describes as left-wing political activities in Albania, particularly around judicial reform initiatives that proved controversial within the country. This historical context has amplified concerns about the recent Hungarian media funding, suggesting a potential pattern of using American taxpayer dollars to support specific political viewpoints in foreign nations.
Transparency Concerns
Tom Fitton, President of Judicial Watch, has been vocal in his criticism of what he characterizes as partisan allocation of U.S. funds abroad. In statements regarding the Hungarian case, Fitton specifically criticized the Biden State Department for what he described as supporting Hungary’s left-wing opposition, raising concerns about potential improper interference in another country’s political landscape.
In the report, Special Counsel Robert Hur called Biden a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory” and declined to charge Biden with a “serious felony:”
The lawsuit seeks to fulfill what Judicial Watch describes as a fundamental obligation for transparency regarding how taxpayer dollars are spent internationally. As the case moves forward, it may provide insights into decision-making processes within the State Department and potentially reveal whether political considerations influenced the distribution of grants to Hungarian media organizations opposing the Orban government.
