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4w ago

Trump Administration Proposes Drastic 48% Budget Cut for State Department and USAID

The internal memo outlines sweeping reductions in humanitarian aid, global health, and international organization funding, with Secretary Rubio's response due Tuesday.

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The seal of the United States Department of State is seen in Washington, U.S., January 26, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo
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Overview

  • The Trump administration's budget proposal seeks to reduce the combined budgets of the State Department and USAID by $27 billion, a 48% decrease from 2025 funding levels approved by Congress.
  • Humanitarian assistance funding would be cut by 54%, global health funding by 55%, and nearly 90% of contributions to international organizations, including the UN and NATO, would be eliminated.
  • The memo, prepared by State Department diplomats, sets an April 15 deadline for Secretary of State Marco Rubio to respond to the proposed changes.
  • Critics, including Senator Chris Van Hollen and the Foreign Service Association, have condemned the proposal as reckless, predicting bipartisan opposition in Congress.
  • The proposal includes consolidating USAID into the State Department, a hiring freeze, and the establishment of a $2.1 billion America First Opportunities Fund for administration priorities.