WASHINGTON— Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday defended the Trump administration’s decision to pause billions of dollars in foreign aid, arguing that the United States must reassess its global commitments, U.S. media reported.
“The U.S. government is not a charity,” Rubio said, signaling a tougher stance on international assistance as the administration prioritizes domestic interests over traditional aid programs.
The move aligns with Trump’s “America First” agenda and could reshape Washington’s role on the global stage. With billions of dollars at stake and allies and adversaries alike watching closely, the freeze has sparked concerns over U.S. influence in crisis regions where American aid has long played a stabilizing role.
The Trump administration’s sweeping overhaul of humanitarian aid has thrown the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) into turmoil. Dozens of senior officials have been placed on leave, thousands of contractors laid off, and billions in aid frozen, leaving relief organizations scrambling to assess which programs can continue.
The pause in funding has disrupted humanitarian projects in Afghanistan as according to Taliban officials, at least 28 aid agencies have stopped their operations since then.
Aid groups say the funding halt has created widespread confusion, jeopardizing vital humanitarian operations—including nutritional programs for severely malnourished children—in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
Administration officials, however, argue that agencies were given the chance to request exemptions. The funding freeze was imposed by Trump on Jan. 20 and formally detailed by the State Department on Jan. 24.
Three days later, at least 56 senior career USAID staffers were abruptly placed on administrative leave, deepening uncertainty within the agency. Critics warn that the shake-up could further erode U.S. leadership in global humanitarian efforts at a time when many international crises—from famine to displacement—require urgent intervention.
While supporters of the policy argue that the freeze is long overdue, opponents fear that cutbacks to U.S. assistance will create a power vacuum that could be filled by geopolitical rivals such as China and Russia.
As the Trump administration continues to reshape foreign aid priorities, the long-term implications of the freeze remain unclear.
