Secretary of State Marco Rubio suspends all U.S. foreign aid funded by or through the United States State Council and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) allowed the Trump administration to review whether the money was an “America First.”

On Sunday, the State Department issued a statement saying it would comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order to reassess and adjust U.S. foreign aid.

“Pursuant to President Trump’s executive order to reassess and realign U.S. foreign assistance, Secretary (Marco) Rubio has suspended all U.S. foreign assistance funded by or through the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID),” the statement said. , for review.” “He is initiating a review of all foreign aid programs to ensure they are efficient and consistent with U.S. foreign policy under the ‘America First’ agenda. President Trump has made it clear that the United States will no longer blindly hand out money without return to the American people. ”

The statement went on to say that it is a “moral duty” to review and adjust foreign aid on behalf of taxpayers, adding that Rubio is proud to protect U.S. investments abroad “through thoughtful and informed review” of the way funds are spent to aid foreign countries. .

Donald Trump continues to build momentum after tumultuous first week in office

The facade of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) headquarters building in Washington, DC, on September 15, 2014.

“Implementation of this executive order and the Secretary’s directive will further that mission,” the statement read. “As Secretary Marco Rubio said, ‘Every dollar we spend, every program we fund, and Every policy we pursue must be justified by the answers to three simple questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? ‘”

The announcement comes after the Trump administration ordered USAID staff to cease providing services. global foreign aid or face “disciplinary action” for failure to comply.

Reuters reported that the Trump administration sent a sharply worded memo to more than 10,000 US Agency for International Development staff on Saturday, proposing a “stop work” directive starting Friday, freezing US external relations around the world. assistance.

Trump administration needs more planes to carry out deportations: report

President Donald Trump wants all foreign aid to be “America First.” (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The news agency reviewed the memo and said it laid out staff expectations on how to achieve the goals Trump’s goal is “America First.”

“We have a responsibility to support the president in achieving his vision,” Ken Jackson, executive assistant for management and resources, wrote in an internal memo titled “Information and Expectations for Employees.”

“The president has given us a tremendous opportunity to change the way we deliver foreign aid for decades to come,” the memo added. Reuters reported that it confirmed the authenticity of the memo through multiple sources.

House Speaker Johnson invites Trump to address Congress during busy first 100-day sprint

Secretary of State Marco Rubio suspended all U.S. foreign aid funded by or through the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Just hours after taking office, Trump ordered a 90-day pause in foreign aid to review whether the funding is consistent with his foreign policy priorities.

Friday, State Council Suspension of global aid.

Click here to get the Fox News app

The United States is the world’s largest donor. In fiscal year 2023, the United States distributed $72 billion in aid. In 2024, it provided 42% of the total humanitarian assistance tracked by the United Nations.

Fox News Digital has reached out to USAID for comment.

Reuters contributed to this report.