The Donald Trump administration is pushing a plan to reallocate about $2 billion (about 2.8 trillion won) in foreign aid funds appropriated by Congress in line with an America First stance. The measure, which directly challenges Congress' expenditure authority, signals a fundamental shift in U.S. foreign aid policy and is fueling controversy in and out of politics.
According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 24th (local time), the State Department on the 12th submitted to Congress a budget plan centered on redirecting $2 billion in foreign aid to counter anti-U.S. Marxist regimes and to invest in Greenland and Ukraine. The $175 million allocated for reconstruction in the Gaza Strip in Palestine and $150 million for humanitarian aid to Iraq were included on the chopping block.
According to the document, the State Department noted, "Foreign aid funds must be used to address new challenges for the national security interests of the United States," adding, "There is a need to make the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous." It is seen as the Trump administration signaling its intent to halt U.S. assistance previously focused on ▲ combating disease ▲ ending hunger ▲ promoting democracy.
Experts say that, with the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 approaching, a request to reallocate funds is not unusual in itself. However, this time the requested reallocation amount is unprecedentedly large, and the projects lack specificity, a common criticism. Congressional staffers said, "Some of the funds are slated for projects likely to gain bipartisan support, such as supporting Azerbaijan-Armenia peacekeeping and assisting allies in the Asia-Pacific," while raising concerns that "the administration's priorities are unclear, and the legal basis for diverting already designated funds is weak."
In fact, the plan includes items lacking specificity, such as "support for U.S. immigration policy within Africa" and "Greenland economic development and environmental conservation projects," sparking controversy. The State Department has only said it "will provide more detailed explanations later."
Earlier, in Aug., the Trump administration also notified Congress that it would halt the execution of about $5 billion in foreign aid, drawing fierce backlash. Even Susan Collins, a Republican and Chairperson of the Senate Budget Committee, criticized the move, saying, "An attempt to cancel appropriated funds without congressional approval is clearly illegal."
Congress is currently experiencing turmoil over passing a short-term spending bill. The Republican and Democratic parties have not narrowed their differences over the federal government budget for the next fiscal year (Oct. 2025–Sept. 2026), and if they fail to reach a budget agreement by the 30th, starting on the 1st of next month the U.S. federal government is set to enter a "shutdown" that will effectively halt administrative functions except for essential operations.
The conflict between the parties shows no sign of abating. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, said in a statement, "The administration is overturning congressionally approved programs to strengthen democracy, promote peace, and support vulnerable populations, and is turning the funds into an irresponsible 'slush fund.'" A Republican official countered, "This decision followed standard procedures," adding, "Funds should be used to enhance U.S. security rather than for foreign aid to manage them more effectively."