Trump administration cuts more than 90% of USAID's overseas funding

The Trump administration announced on Wednesday, February 26, massive cuts to American international aid , including the elimination of 92% of funding for overseas programs by the American development agency, USAID, boasting of "saving taxpayers nearly $60 billion." President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20, upon his return to the White House, ordering a freeze on American foreign aid for 90 days, the time for a complete review to assess its compliance with the policy he intends to pursue, particularly against programs promoting abortion, family planning or advocating diversity and inclusion.

But a federal judge, seized by two organizations bringing together companies, NGOs, and other beneficiaries of American aid funds, suspended this decision to freeze spending approved by Congress. As part of this procedure, following a review of these programs carried out by his services, Secretary of State Marco Rubio , on whom USAID, promised to be dismantled , depends, decided to permanently eliminate nearly 5,800 of the funding granted worldwide by the agency, with a remaining cost of 54 billion dollars, keeping only a little more than 500, according to the State Department. In addition, out of more than 9,100 grants awarded by the State Department, totaling 15.9 billion dollars, 4,100 - with an estimated cost of 4.4 billion - have been canceled, specified a spokesperson for American diplomacy.

USAID continues to provide "vital" funding such as food assistance and treatment for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria patients, as well as to countries such as Lebanon, Haiti, Venezuela and Cuba, the State Department said.

"The State Department today cut $10,000 in funding from its own and USAID, effective immediately, effectively cutting U.S. foreign assistance," InterAction, an alliance of more than 160 nonprofits, said in a statement. "Women and children will go hungry, food will rot in warehouses, children will be born with HIV, and other tragedies," it added, urging Rubio to reverse a decision that "will not make America safer, stronger, or more prosperous."

The court had also ordered the State Department to resume payments, estimated at $1.5 billion to $2 billion, to hundreds of international aid organizations by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday (04:59 GMT Thursday). But the conservative-majority Supreme Court, seized by the Trump administration, suspended this decision while it rules on the merits.

USAID, which had a staff of more than 10,000, announced on February 23 that it was laying off 1,600 of its employees in the United States and placing the majority of its staff on administrative leave. Donald Trump's aid freeze has caused shock and emotion within the independent agency created by an act of the US Congress in 1961, and which manages an annual budget of 42.8 billion dollars, representing 42% of the humanitarian aid disbursed in the world.

The Republican had promised during his campaign to reduce the weight of the federal government and cut spending, before appointing his multi-billionaire ally Elon Musk to head a government efficiency commission (Doge). The Tesla and SpaceX boss has launched a vast offensive aimed at drastically reducing public spending, with methods decried in particular by the Democratic opposition and unions, who consider them brutal and arbitrary.