Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Trump's $5 Billion Foreign Aid Cut Sparks Legal Controversy

8/29/2025

32 3

Summary

Story summary

President Trump intends to cancel nearly $5 billion in foreign aid through a rare “pocket rescission.”
This includes substantial cuts to USAID and peacekeeping contributions, which were previously paused.
The legality of pocket rescissions is contested; the Government Accountability Office considers it illegal, while Trump's Office of Management and Budget disagrees.

1 of 1

Story summary

President Trump intends to cancel nearly $5 billion in foreign aid through a rare “pocket rescission.”
This includes substantial cuts to USAID and peacekeeping contributions, which were previously paused.
The legality of pocket rescissions is contested; the Government Accountability Office considers it illegal, while Trump's Office of Management and Budget disagrees.