Trump administration slashes USAID foreign aid, supreme court intervenes

The Trump administration has announced drastic cuts to foreign aid, eliminating over 90% of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) contracts and slashing $60 billion in assistance globally.

The move, outlined in an internal memo obtained by US media and court filings, significantly scales back U.S. humanitarian and development programmes, Caliber.Az reports.

The cuts, which the administration describes as a bid to reduce “institutional drift” and redirect taxpayer funds towards American interests, have halted thousands of USAID-funded initiatives. These include widely praised programmes combating Ebola and HIV/AIDS in Africa. President Donald Trump, along with ally Elon Musk, has pushed for deep reductions in foreign aid, arguing that such programmes promote a liberal agenda and waste public funds.

Following a 90-day review ordered by Trump in January, the administration began terminating contracts at speed, with USAID staff placed on forced leave or dismissed. Nonprofit groups and contractors have challenged the decision in court, claiming the government is bypassing legal requirements. The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a lower court ruling that had ordered the administration to release billions in frozen funds, with plaintiffs given until Friday to respond.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reviewed the terminations, which include 5,800 USAID contracts worth $54 billion and 4,100 State Department grants amounting to $4.4 billion. A coalition of businesses and NGOs has condemned the move, warning of severe consequences for global health, security, and diplomacy.

U.S. District Judge Amir H. Ali had ordered the government to lift the funding freeze, but Chief Justice John Roberts' ruling has put that decision on hold pending further review by the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, USAID staff have been granted a brief window on February 27–28 2025, to collect personal belongings from the Ronald Reagan Building (RRB). Entry is strictly limited to the allocated time slots per Bureau or Independent Office, with staff permitted only 15 minutes for retrieval. Items must be packed using personal supplies, and only non-government property may be removed.

Security screening is mandatory, and GFE devices must be taken. Unclaimed belongings will be stored but may not be protected from damage or loss. No alternative dates will be provided, and staff must acknowledge receipt before leaving.

By Aghakazim Guliyev