US Treasury Invites Citizens to Donate Directly to Reduce National Debt

The US Treasury Department has launched an official program allowing citizens to contribute directly to reducing the national debt. Managed by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, the program accepts donations via credit cards, debit cards, bank accounts, and PayPal through a government payment website. Established originally in 1843 to enable citizens to express patriotism through government donations, the program accepts money, government bonds, or intangible assets.

Since 2020, the program has received average monthly donations of approximately $120,000 toward lowering the public debt. In 2024, contributions exceeded $2.7 million, while in 2023 about $1 million was donated. In the first five months of 2025, donations totaled roughly $434,500. Despite these efforts, the US national debt currently stands at over $36 trillion and is expected to continue rising.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the "big and beautiful" law promoted by former President Donald Trump is projected to increase the debt by an additional $3.4 trillion over the next decade. The Treasury's initiative represents a novel approach to engaging the public in addressing the country's fiscal challenges.