US President Donald Trump has blocked nearly $5 billion in foreign aid that had already been approved by Congress, using a rare budget tactic not applied in decades.
The White House said the decision was based on a legal procedure known as a “pocket rescission,” which allows funds to expire at the end of the fiscal year if not released.
The move directly affects 15 international programs, most of them managed through USAID and peacekeeping operations.
Critics from both parties argue that the step bypasses Congress’s constitutional power to control spending.
Some lawmakers warned that withholding approved funds could deepen disputes during upcoming budget talks and raise the risk of a government shutdown when new funding bills are debated in the fall.
Since returning to office, Trump has worked to reduce USAID’s role, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio overseeing steep cuts.
Most USAID projects have already been shut down, and this latest order removes additional resources from humanitarian and peacekeeping missions worldwide.
The United Nations noted that the loss of US support will strain international relief efforts and weaken peace operations at a time of increasing global crises.