U.S. President Orders 90-Day Pause on Foreign Aid- Kenya ni

Washington, D.C. — January 21, 2025

In a sweeping executive action, President Trump has issued an order to halt the disbursement of U.S. foreign development assistance for 90 days, aiming to reassess and realign these programs with American foreign policy objectives. The executive order, signed on January 20, 2025, reflects a significant shift in the approach to international aid, emphasizing national interests and values.

The order states that the current foreign aid system is “not aligned with American interests” and may even “destabilize world peace” by promoting ideas contrary to stability and harmony. Under the new policy, no foreign assistance will be disbursed unless it directly supports the foreign policy goals of the U.S. President.

Key Points of the Executive Order:

90-Day Assessment: All new obligations and disbursements of development assistance are paused for a comprehensive review to ensure programmatic efficiency and alignment with U.S. foreign policy. This review will be conducted by department and agency heads under guidelines from the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Programmatic Reviews: Each foreign assistance program will undergo scrutiny to determine whether it should continue, be modified, or terminated based on its contribution to U.S. policy.
Resumption of Aid: Programs can resume before the 90-day period if they pass the review and receive approval from the Secretary of State or his designee, in consultation with the OMB.
Waiver Clause: The Secretary of State retains the authority to waive the pause for specific programs deemed critical.

This move has sparked a mix of reactions:

Support from Conservative Think Tanks: Groups like the Heritage Foundation have praised the order, arguing it brings much-needed accountability and efficiency to U.S. foreign aid.
Critique from Development Organizations: NGOs and international organizations fear this could lead to cuts in aid to regions in dire need, potentially exacerbating global humanitarian issues.
Political Response: Democrats in Congress have expressed concerns about the implications on U.S. global leadership and humanitarian commitments, while some Republicans applaud the focus on national interest.

The pause in aid could impact countries heavily reliant on U.S. support, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, where U.S. aid has been pivotal in development projects ranging from health to education.

The administration has emphasized that this is not a cessation but a strategic realignment to ensure that every dollar spent abroad serves both American and global interests effectively. Critics, however, worry about the message this sends to allies and the potential for increased instability in regions already facing challenges.

As the 90-day clock begins to tick, the world watches closely to see how this policy will reshape U.S. foreign aid, its global partnerships, and its role in international development. The outcomes of these reviews will likely set the tone for U.S. foreign policy for years to come.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.

Note: This article is based on an executive order issued by the President of the United States. The actual impact and details of implementation will become clearer as the policy unfolds over the next few months.