Trump USAID moves backed by new House GOP talking points memo
House Republicans are rallying behind President Donald Trump’s handling of foreign aid, arguing that his approach is already yielding positive results. An internal memo circulating among GOP lawmakers urges them to push back against criticism of Trump’s freeze on foreign aid, pointing to alleged misuse of funds by the Biden administration.
The three-page document obtained by Fox News Digital highlights talking points for Republicans to use, emphasizing that a significant portion of the $40 billion in annual foreign aid is not reaching its intended recipients. Instead, the memo claims that the money is being funneled into a “swindling” NGO industrial complex.
The memo suggests that Trump’s freeze on foreign aid is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs, which it describes as being on “autopilot.” It calls for a 90-day review period with waivers for emergencies to allow the State Department to root out waste and ensure that funds align with Trump’s agenda.
Recent actions by Trump and Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” have led to a scale-back of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with Secretary of State Marco Rubio now serving as its acting head. Critics of these moves argue that they could embolden authoritarian governments and jeopardize lives dependent on aid.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast, a staunch Trump ally, defends the administration’s actions, asserting that foreign aid should not be used to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives abroad. The memo also highlights exceptions for emergency assistance, such as food, medicine, and shelter.
Republicans are calling attention to instances where foreign aid has allegedly been misused, including funding for a transgender opera in Colombia, gender identity seminars in Scotland, and atheist promotion in Nepal. They argue that these expenditures do not align with America’s interests and should be reevaluated.
While not all Republicans may support Trump’s approach to foreign aid, national security hawks like Rep. Michael McCaul have expressed optimism about the administration’s efforts to ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively. Despite previous attempts to defund USAID failing, Republicans are standing behind Trump’s push for accountability in foreign assistance.
As the debate over foreign aid continues, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are grappling with how best to allocate resources and promote American interests abroad. The memo underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in foreign aid spending, signaling a shift in the way Republicans approach international assistance programs.
