The US State Department has taken a significant step by freezing nearly all foreign assistance worldwide following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. This move, effective immediately, puts a hold on foreign assistance for 90 days, impacting billions of dollars in funding from the State Department and the US Agency for International Development for programs globally.
Secretary of State sent a message to all US diplomatic posts outlining the decision, which has been a point of contention among Republicans in Congress and Trump administration officials. Despite this, foreign assistance accounts for a small portion of the overall US budget.
The executive order calls for a halt on existing foreign assistance and a pause on new aid, pending a review to determine alignment with President Trump's foreign policy agenda. This review is expected to be completed within 85 days, during which decisions will be made on whether to continue, modify, or terminate programs.
While the order provides waivers for emergency food assistance and foreign military financing for Israel and Egypt, it does not specify other countries receiving such financing, like Ukraine or Taiwan.
This move has left humanitarian officials in shock, as they grapple with the implications of the freeze on vital aid programs around the world. The State Department's decision will have far-reaching consequences on global assistance efforts, with potential ramifications for vulnerable populations in need of support.
