WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday temporarily suspending all U.S. foreign assistance programs for 90 days pending reviews to determine if they align with his policy goals. The immediate impact of this order is unclear, as many programs have already received appropriated funding from Congress which is obligated to be spent.

The order, among others Trump executed upon returning to office, stated that the “foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American values,” suggesting these programs contribute to global instability. Trump emphasized that “no further United States foreign assistance shall be disbursed in a manner that is not fully aligned with the foreign policy of the President of the United States.”

During his confirmation hearing as Secretary of State, Marco Rubio outlined his evaluative criteria for foreign aid, asking, “Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?” This order assigns Rubio or his representative the responsibility to make determinations regarding aid disbursement, in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget. The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) are the primary agencies overseeing foreign assistance.

Trump has consistently criticized foreign aid, which constitutes about 1% of the federal budget, except for specific cases such as military support to Ukraine amid Russia's aggressive actions. The latest figures from the Biden administration, reported in December, revealed the obligation of $68 billion for various international programs including disaster relief and health initiatives across 204 countries and regions.

However, major recipients of U.S. assistance such as Israel ($3.3 billion annually), Egypt ($1.5 billion), and Jordan ($1.7 billion) are expected to maintain their funding levels due to long-standing arrangements often dictated by treaties. Historically, U.N. agencies including those focusing on peacekeeping and human rights have been frequent targets for cuts or reallocations by Republican administrations. Trump previously suspended funding for several U.N. agencies during his first term, including for the Palestinian Authority.

Moreover, Trump's administration had already retracted from commitments to the U.N. Human Rights Council, which further complicated the U.S.’s role in global humanitarian efforts. For those interested in further details, analysis of Trump's foreign aid policies can be found in the comprehensive coverage by Los Angeles Times and TIME.