Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump of setting the stage for a government shutdown. (Image Credits: MyStateline)
President Donald Trump has unilaterally moved to cancel $4.9 billion in foreign aid previously authorized by Congress, intensifying the ongoing battle over who controls the nation’s spending.
In a letter posted online late Thursday, Trump informed House Speaker Mike Johnson that he plans to withhold funding for 15 international programs.
The U.S. Constitution grants Congress authority over federal spending, requiring the White House to secure approval before canceling funds. In July, Congress had already approved the cancellation of $9 billion in foreign aid and public media funding.
However, Trump’s latest move bypasses lawmakers entirely through a tactic known as a “pocket rescission.”
Budget Director Russell Vought argued the president can withhold funds for 45 days, which would push the decision past the fiscal year deadline on September 30. The White House noted that this maneuver was last used in 1977.
According to a court filing on Friday, the withheld money was originally earmarked for:
Most of these were managed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which has faced significant restructuring under Trump’s administration.
“This is going to make our budget situation or liquidity situation that much more challenging, but we will follow up with U.S. authorities to get more details,” said U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
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Democrats allege that the administration has frozen over $425 billion in funding across agencies. Most Republicans have backed Trump’s push for spending cuts, even if it weakens Congress’ constitutional power. But not all agree.
Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the president’s move is illegal: “Instead of this attempt to undermine the law, the appropriate way is to identify ways to reduce excessive spending through the bipartisan, annual appropriations process.”
Meanwhile, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump of setting the stage for a government shutdown. “Republicans don’t have to be a rubber stamp for this carnage,” Schumer said.
