Staff Reports
President Trump is once again taking a stand for American values, this time signing an executive order that freezes all U.S. foreign assistance programs for a period of 90 days. This action is a clear message that foreign aid, which often feels more like a government handout to international troublemakers than a boost to true allies, is under scrutiny. The order, one of several dispensed on his first day back in office, highlights his belief that these programs do not reflect American interests, concluding they often work against harmonious relations both domestically and abroad.
While the exact funding impacted by this order remains somewhat obscured—much like the intentions of the politicians pushing for endless foreign aid—it’s no secret that the Trump administration is gearing up to review how taxpayer dollars are spent overseas. The order explicitly states that any future assistance must align with the President’s foreign policy, pretty much making it clear that foreign nations won’t be rolling in the dough unless they’re contributing to making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending all U.S. foreign assistance programs for 90 days pending reviews https://t.co/ys6yj4QcX4
— TIME (@TIME) January 21, 2025
Marco Rubio, the newly minted Secretary of State, echoed this sentiment in his recent Senate confirmation hearing. He posed a three-question litmus test for foreign assistance: Does it bolster America’s safety? Does it enhance American strength? Does it lead to greater prosperity? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then it’s time to reconsider. This gives Trump’s administration the right tools to cut foreign aid that doesn’t meet these strict criteria, amplifying the call to prioritize American priorities first.
Trump has been openly critical for years of the U.S. money spent abroad, often considering it to be a waste. While foreign aid historically amounts to a mere 1% of the federal budget, such tiny percentages can add up quickly when coupled with massive expenditures, like billions in weaponry sent to Ukraine. It’s also worth noting that assistance earmarked for major allies like Israel, Egypt, and Jordan, while expected to stay largely intact, may be at the mercy of the administration’s review process depending on the perceived alignment with U.S. interests.
There is a history of Republican administrations targeting the bloated budgets of U.N. agencies that seem to do little other than fuel less-than-ideal global policies. The previous Trump administration was no stranger to cutting obligations to the likes of the U.N. Population Fund and the Palestinian Authority, and the new executive order appears to signal a return to those robust strategies. With a solid commitment to keeping American values intact, it’s clear that this administration believes it’s time for foreign nations to earn their keep rather than sit back and rely on American welfare.
