Trump Administration to Redirect $1.8 Billion in Foreign Aid to “America First” Priorities

Washington, D.C. — The Trump administration has announced plans to reallocate $1.8 billion in foreign aid funding toward initiatives aligned with its “America First” agenda, according to a congressional notification obtained by Reuters.

The document, dated September 12, outlines a shift from previously approved programs to projects that the administration says will “strengthen U.S. global leadership” and advance national security interests. These include diversifying critical mineral supply chains, investing in strategic infrastructure, countering China’s growing influence, and addressing the U.S. immigration crisis.

Among the planned allocations, $400 million is directed toward Europe, with a focus on energy and minerals programming in Ukraine and development projects in Greenland. President Trump has long expressed interest in Greenland, citing its rich natural resources and strategic location.

Another $400 million is earmarked for the Western Hemisphere to combat illegal immigration, counter China’s technological and mineral dominance, and confront what the document calls “Marxist, anti-American regimes” in Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua.

Since the beginning of his second term in January, Trump has moved aggressively to reshape U.S. foreign aid, dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and slashing billions in global assistance. The overhaul has disrupted humanitarian operations worldwide, with critics warning of dire consequences for food and medical aid programs.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, condemned the plan, saying it undermines Congress’ constitutional authority over federal spending. “Funding politically driven, unaccountable pet projects in places like Greenland or using aid to pressure African governments on immigration is an abuse of Americans’ tax dollars,” she said.

Republican leaders, including Committee Chairman Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), have not yet commented.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who oversaw the formal transfer of USAID into the State Department in July, defended the policy shift, arguing that the U.S. is moving away from what he called a “charity-based model” toward empowering nations to grow sustainably.

Foreign aid has historically accounted for about 1% of the federal budget.