The Trump administration’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 would make unprecedented cuts to foreign aid, which some called “reckless” and “self-defeating.”
The White House released its budget request on Friday that proposes a 47.7% cut in funding for state and international programs from 2025 levels, down to $31.2 billion, and signaling its intention to rescind about $20 billion in funds previously approved by Congress. If successful, the total would amount to a roughly 84% cut to the foreign affairs budget, leaving just $9.6 billion in new spending.
“Overwhelming cuts to effective assistance would be reckless and self-defeating, threatening lives and stability around the world,” said Elizabeth Hoffman, executive director for North America at the ONE. “Erasing hard-earned partnerships and progress in the name of saving a fraction of a percent of the US budget would be the true waste.”