The Trump Administration’s Aggressive Cuts to Foreign Aid
The Trump administration has made aggressive moves to reduce U.S. foreign aid, terminating nearly 10,000 contracts and grants administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department. These cuts include programs previously exempt from a foreign aid freeze, such as efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. The administration’s actions, revealed in recent court filings, have shocked diplomats and aid workers, who are already coping with mass firings at USAID. A former senior USAID official revealed that these cuts account for about 90% of the agency’s work, impacting tens of billions of dollars in spending.
A Legal Battle Over Foreign Aid
The Trump administration’s actions are part of a broader legal struggle. On February 13, Judge Amir H. Ali of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia ordered the government to resume funding for foreign aid programs, stating that the funds must be disbursed to contractors and grant recipients. However, despite this order, many aid groups reported that their funding was never restored. Lawyers for the Trump administration argued that they had complied with the court’s demands by conducting a “good-faith, individualized assessment” of foreign aid programs, resulting in the termination of most contracts and grants. The administration has now appealed to the Supreme Court for more time to pay for foreign aid work already completed, citing logistical challenges.
Humanitarian Programs Impacted
The cuts have had significant humanitarian implications. Several aid workers and USAID officials reported that funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program previously deemed essential lifesaving work, had been eliminated. Additionally, contracts with urban search and rescue teams in Virginia and California, which deploy to disaster-stricken areas, were also terminated. These programs had previously been granted humanitarian exceptions from the foreign aid freeze by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The termination of these contracts has left many aid workers unable to continue their critical work, including disbursing HIV medications and providing food assistance to vulnerable populations.
The Administration’s Perspective
The Trump administration has defended its actions, arguing that foreign aid has become wasteful and disconnected from America’s vital interests. President Trump and other top officials insist that the 1% of the federal budget allocated to foreign aid must be carefully reviewed and redirected. The administration has added new layers of review for all disbursements of foreign assistance funds, requiring line-by-line policy justifications for payments, even for work that has already been approved. These additional reviews have further delayed the release of funds, exacerbating the challenges faced by aid workers and the people they serve.
Logistical Challenges and Funding Backlogs
The Trump administration has cited logistical challenges as a reason for the delays in releasing funds. Pete Marocco, the top Trump appointee in charge of foreign aid, noted that the two agencies face a combined total of nearly $2 billion in outstanding payment requests, which cannot be processed immediately. Lawyers for the government argued that restarting funding for terminated or suspended agreements is not as simple as “turning on a switch or faucet.” They requested more time to address the payment backlogs, stating that the process would take multiple weeks.
Legal and Humanitarian Implications
The legal battle over foreign aid continues, with aid groups seeking to hold the Trump administration accountable for complying with Judge Ali’s order. Lawyers for the aid groups have asked the court to allow them to call high-level officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to testify about their involvement in decisions regarding foreign aid funding. Meanwhile, the humanitarian impact of the administration’s actions continues to grow. Aid workers have reported that the lack of funding has forced them to halt critical programs, leaving vulnerable populations without access to food, healthcare, and other essential services. As the legal drama unfolds, the consequences of the Trump administration’s actions on global health, development, and U.S. influence abroad remain uncertain.