Trump Administration Suspends Most Foreign Aid for 90 Days, Including Ukraine; Israel and Egypt Exempt

Jan 24, 2025, 09:23 PM

The Trump administration has issued an immediate suspension of most U.S. foreign aid programs worldwide for 90 days, pending a policy review, according to a State Department memo. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered the halt, which includes stop-work orders on existing grants and contracts. The pause applies to both new and existing assistance, encompassing aid to Ukraine and other key allies such as Jordan and Taiwan. Waivers have been issued for military financing to Israel and Egypt, allowing aid to those countries to continue. Exceptions are also made for emergency food programs. The impact on military assistance to Ukraine remains unclear; while some reports suggest that military aid is exempt from the suspension, others indicate that USAID officials responsible for projects in Ukraine have been instructed to stop work, including support for schools and health assistance. A Pentagon official stated that the executive order does not affect military support to Ukraine, suggesting that security assistance may continue.