Secretary of State Marco Rubio has initiated a pause on all U.S. foreign assistance funded by the State Department and USAID, in line with President Trump's Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid. This move is part of a comprehensive review aimed at ensuring these programs align with U.S. foreign policy priorities under the America First agenda.
President Trump emphasized that the U.S. will no longer provide financial aid without tangible benefits for American citizens. He stated, "Reviewing and realigning foreign assistance on behalf of hardworking taxpayers is not just the right thing to do, it is a moral imperative." Secretary Rubio echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of safeguarding America's investments through careful examination of overseas spending.
The administration aims to refocus efforts on national interests as mandated by the American public. Both the Department of State and USAID are committed to their responsibility as stewards of taxpayer funds. Secretary Rubio underscored this commitment by stating, “Every dollar we spend, every program we fund, and every policy we pursue must be justified with the answer to three simple questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?”