Trump scraps $5B in foreign aid in rare ‘pocket rescission’

 President Trump has decided to cancel nearly $5 billion in foreign aid and peacekeeping funds in a rare move known as a "pocket rescission. " This action allows him to bypass traditional congressional approval due to the timing of the fiscal year end.

• Nature of the Action: Trump submitted a request to Congress for a "pocket rescission," which is a method used to cancel appropriated funds late in the fiscal year. This move has not been used in 48 years.

• Specific Cuts: The cancellation includes:

• $3.2 billion from USAID development assistance

• $322 million from the USAID-State Department Democracy Fund

• $521 million in contributions to international organizations

• $393 million for peacekeeping activities

• $445 million in other peacekeeping assistance

• Background: The funds were previously held up due to a lawsuit and were about to be released. The legality of the pocket rescission has been debated, with the Government Accountability Office considering it illegal while Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) contends otherwise.

• Targeted Programs: Several allocations deemed wasteful were highlighted, including:

• $24.6 million for climate resilience in Honduras

• $2.7 million for a democracy foundation in South Africa

• $3.9 million for promoting democracy among LGBT people in the Western Balkans

• Impact on Peacekeeping: The cuts will affect various international peacekeeping efforts but will not impact U. S. support for specific missions such as the Multinational Force and Observers along the Egypt-Israel border.

• Legal Debates and Risks: The legality of pocket rescissions has little precedent, and the GAO has the potential to challenge Trump’s action in court. There are debates on whether the agency could take legal action due to its own structure being potentially unconstitutional.

Trump’s decision to cancel nearly $5 billion in foreign aid highlights ongoing controversies regarding presidential powers and foreign funding. The legality of pocket rescissions remains uncertain and may lead to further legal disputes. 

https://nypost.com/2025/08/28/us-news/trump-scraps-5b-in-foreign-aid-in-rare-pocket-rescission/