US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has mandated an immediate suspension of nearly all ongoing foreign aid programs while a review is conducted to ensure their alignment with President Donald Trump’s policies. An internal communication revealed this directive, which is set to impact international assistance contracts managed by the US government, including those handled by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). These contracts, worth billions of dollars, cover a wide array of countries.
In the memo circulated to the State Department and USAID, Rubio stated that all new foreign aid disbursements should be paused, directing contracting and grant officers to promptly issue stop-work orders until further notice from the Secretary. The review process is anticipated to last up to 85 days, placing numerous US foreign aid contracts—valued at over $70 billion during the 2022 fiscal year—on hold for potentially three months.
Additionally, Rubio instructed that all foreign aid distributed via any agency must receive approval from the Secretary of State, thereby concentrating the oversight of international assistance programs within his office. This directive aligns with an executive order Trump enacted on his first day in office, which criticized the “foreign aid industry and bureaucracy” as misaligned with American interests and values, prompting a suspension of assistance.
In the early days of his second term, Trump has aggressively sought to reform and redirect government agencies to adhere to his administration’s policies. Other federal entities, such as the National Institutes of Health, have similarly paused grant activities pending a review by the incoming administration, causing concern among researchers.
There are exceptions to Rubio’s freeze on aid, including approved waivers for military funding for Israel and Egypt, along with foreign emergency food assistance. However, the directive stipulates that in addition to halting new and ongoing contracts, US agencies, including USAID, must cease the publication of proposals for foreign aid initiatives.
Earlier this week, Rubio noted that Trump had tasked him with prioritizing core national interests in shaping American foreign policy, highlighting goals such as reducing mass migration and eliminating climate policies deemed detrimental to the nation. He emphasized that all expenditures, programs, and policies must be justified by three key questions: Do they enhance American safety? Do they strengthen America? Do they contribute to American prosperity?
The State Department has been contacted for further comments.
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