The Trump administration announced its plans to eliminate more than 90% of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s foreign aid contracts, totaling $60 billion in overall U.S. assistance worldwide. These drastic cuts signal a significant shift away from decades of U.S. policy supporting foreign aid as a means to advance American interests and build alliances.

President Donald Trump and Elon Musk have been leading the charge to slash foreign aid, labeling USAID projects as wasteful and promoting a liberal agenda. This move comes after Trump ordered a review of foreign assistance programs, resulting in an immediate halt to all foreign aid funds.

The administration’s actions have halted thousands of programs abroad, leaving successful initiatives like Ebola containment and HIV/AIDS treatment without crucial funding. The termination of contracts has sparked outrage among nonprofits owed money, with many describing the process as rapid and without proper review.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy criticized the administration’s approach, accusing them of bypassing Congress and the courts by abruptly terminating thousands of aid programs globally. The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding the impact of these cuts on vital areas such as counterterrorism and global health.

In total, the Trump administration plans to eliminate 5,800 out of 6,200 multiyear USAID contracts and 4,100 out of 9,100 State Department grants. These cuts amount to $54 billion and $4.4 billion, respectively. The administration cited a federal court order as the catalyst for these actions, prompting a swift response to terminate foreign aid programs on a massive scale.

Despite a temporary block on the funding freeze by U.S. District Judge Amir H. Ali, the Supreme Court intervened to allow for further deliberation on the matter. The administration is now processing back payments owed to organizations and companies, but the future of foreign aid remains uncertain pending legal proceedings.

As the battle over foreign aid contracts continues in court, the fate of U.S. development and humanitarian assistance abroad hangs in the balance. The Trump administration’s relentless pursuit to cut foreign aid programs raises concerns about the potential consequences for global stability and American interests in the long run.