The Trump administration is reportedly proposing to cut the US State Department budget by nearly half, in a move that would drastically reduce international spending and end funding for Nato and the United Nations, according to an internal memorandum.
The memo, drawn up by the White House Office of Management and Budget, envisions the combined budget of the State Department and USAID being reduced to $28.4bn, a reduction of 48% from the amount approved by Congress for 2025. Humanitarian assistance and global health funding would be slashed by 54% and 55% respectively, while support for international organisations would be cut by 90%.
Under the plans, funding for Nato and the UN would be eliminated entirely, as would backing for international peacekeeping missions. The Fulbright scholarship programme and the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations would also be scrapped, and the State Department workforce of 80,000 would face severe reductions.
The cuts have yet to be agreed within the administration and would need congressional approval, where they are expected to face stiff opposition even from many Republicans. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has until Tuesday to respond to the memo.
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen described the proposals as 'an unserious budget' that would 'hit a wall of bipartisan opposition'. The American Foreign Service Association called on Congress to reject the 'reckless and dangerous' cuts, warning they would 'empower adversaries like China and Russia who are eager to fill the void left by a retreating United States'.
