On the first day of his second term, President Trump released several executive actions which have fundamentally changed foreign aid. These included: an executive order calling for a review of foreign aid within 90 days; a subsequent “stop work order” that froze all payments and services for work already underway; the dissolution of USAID, including the reduction of most staff and contractors; and the cancellation of most foreign aid awards. Although a waiver allowing lifesaving humanitarian assistance was granted, it was limited to certain services only and difficult to obtain for program implementers. Furthermore, although these actions have been the subject of several legal challenges, legal remedies thus far have been limited. As a result, U.S. global health programs have been disrupted and, in some cases, halted. Changes to the Department of Health and Human Services, including proposed cuts and reorganization, are also likely to affect these programs. This fact sheet is part of a series on the state of America’s global health programs.
