Official announcements from the US State Department or White House press releases

Trump Halts Most Foreign Aid for 90 Days, Exempts Israel and Egypt; PEPFAR Impacted

Jan 25, 2025, 04:05 AM

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order halting nearly all foreign aid grants for 90 days, a move that includes pausing new assistance and reviewing existing programs. The order, signed on his first day in office, aims to assess the efficiency and alignment of U.S. foreign aid with American interests. The State Department, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has implemented this directive, which includes exceptions for military aid to Israel and Egypt, as well as emergency food assistance. The suspension of aid has raised concerns among humanitarian organizations and could impact various global health programs, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has provided treatment to millions worldwide. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that military aid to Ukraine remains unaffected by this order, despite reports suggesting otherwise.