U.S. foreign aid freeze: Trump administration halts billions in assistance

01/30/2025 / By Belle Carter

The U.S. State Department, under Secretary Marco Rubio, has implemented a 90-day freeze on nearly all foreign aid, effective immediately, following an executive order by President Donald J. Trump. Exemptions include emergency food aid and military assistance to Israel and Egypt.
The freeze halts billions of dollars in life-saving initiatives, including health clinics, anti-corruption efforts and refugee resettlement programs, threatening vulnerable populations worldwide.
While $3.85 billion in approved military aid for Ukraine remains available, its allocation is now subject to Trump’s discretion.
The freeze reflects Trump’s skepticism of foreign aid and aligns with his campaign pledge to prioritize domestic interests.

The U.S. State Department has ordered a 90-day freeze on nearly all foreign aid, with only a few exceptions. The directive, issued Friday by newly appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, follows an executive order signed earlier this week by President Donald J. Trump.

The freeze, which exempts emergency food aid and military assistance to Israel and Egypt, threatens to disrupt billions of dollars in life-saving programs worldwide, from health clinics to anti-corruption initiatives. (Related: Trump suspends U.S. foreign aid, citing national priorities and economic concerns.)

Critics warn the decision could have dire consequences for vulnerable populations, while supporters argue it aligns with Trump’s pledge to scrutinize foreign spending. The move also raises questions about the future of U.S. aid to Ukraine, a key ally in its ongoing conflict with Russia.

The U.S. is the world’s largest foreign aid donor, allocating approximately $60 billion annually, about one percent of the federal budget. The freeze, which took immediate effect, halts funding for programs supporting health, education, development and security assistance, among others.

The freeze also impacts refugee resettlement programs, including those aiding Afghans who arrived in the U.S. on special immigrant visas. A State Department cable instructed resettlement agencies to “suspend all work” under foreign assistance, leaving many organizations scrambling to interpret the directive.

Jeremy Konyndyk, president of Refugees International and a former United States Agency for International Development (USAID) official, called the move “lunacy,” adding, “This will kill people. If implemented as written in that cable, a lot of people will die.”

Ukraine aid in limbo

The freeze notably omits any mention of Ukraine, a key recipient of U.S. military aid under the Biden administration. While $3.85 billion in congressionally approved funding for Ukraine remains available, it is now up to Trump to decide whether to allocate it. The president has been vocal about his desire to end the conflict with Russia, and he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have tentatively agreed to meet later this year to discuss a resolution.

The Biden administration expedited military aid to Ukraine before leaving office, anticipating potential resistance from Trump. However, the current freeze raises concerns about the continuity of U.S. support for Kyiv. A USAID official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that projects in Ukraine, including health assistance and school support, have already been halted.

The freeze marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, reflecting Trump’s long-standing skepticism of foreign aid. During his 2016 campaign, Trump criticized what he called “wasteful” spending abroad, pledging to prioritize domestic interests. The current review, set to conclude within 90 days, aims to ensure that foreign assistance aligns with Trump’s agenda.

The State Department cable did grant waivers for military financing to Israel ($3.3 billion annually) and Egypt ($1.3 billion annually), as well as emergency food aid. The latter exemption comes amid a surge in humanitarian needs, including famine in Sudan and ongoing crises in Gaza and Syria.

The Trump administration’s freeze on foreign aid represents a dramatic departure from decades of U.S. global leadership in humanitarian and development assistance. While supporters view it as a necessary step to ensure accountability and alignment with national priorities, critics warn it could have catastrophic consequences for millions of people worldwide.

Watch the video below where Trump called former President Joe Biden’s era “terrible four years” of foreign policy.

This video is from the NewClips channel on Brighteon.com.