Trump seeks to cut $4.9 billion in foreign aid without congressional approval

In the United States, President Donald Trump announced plans to cut $4.9 billion in foreign aid previously approved by Congress through a method called pocket rescission. This maneuver allows the president to prevent the legislature from acting on the funding in a timely manner, effectively letting the budget lapse. Trump's decision has drawn bipartisan backlash, with lawmakers questioning the legality of bypassing Congress on such significant spending issues. This action follows a history of attempting cuts to foreign aid, which the Trump administration has emphasized as a central policy to align with the 'America First' agenda. The consequences of these rescissions could affect various international development and humanitarian programs provided by agencies like USAID and the State Department, raising concerns about the impact on global health and food security. Additionally, previous analyses have indicated that cuts in foreign aid could lead to millions of preventable deaths worldwide, compounding the potential damage of Trump's budgetary decisions on America's international reputation and foreign relations. As the end of the fiscal year approaches, the conflict over these foreign aid cuts heightens tensions in Washington, signaling potential gridlock in federal funding discussions.