President Trump has moved to cancel approximately $5 billion in congressionally approved foreign aid using a rarely used maneuver called a “pocket rescission,” according to reports. The administration notified Congress of its request to cancel the funds. A pocket rescission, which hasn’t been employed in nearly 50 years, involves presenting a request so late in the fiscal year—ending Sept. 30—that it bypasses congressional action. The clawback includes $3.2 billion in USAID development assistance, $322 million from the USAID-State Department Democracy Fund, $521 million in State Department contributions to international organizations, $393 million in State Department peacekeeping activities, and $445 million in separately budgeted peacekeeping aid. The spending had been directed toward various nonprofits and foreign governments but was paused earlier this year by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and faced legal challenges following a lawsuit filed by the Global Health Council. The DC Circuit Court of Appeals lifted an injunction, allowing Trump to proceed with the first attempted pocket rescission since 1977. The administration cited alleged wasteful spending, including $24.6 million for “climate resilience” in Honduras, $2.7 million for the South African Democracy Works Foundation, which published inflammatory racial articles, and $3.9 million to promote democracy among LGBT people in the Western Balkans. Other highlighted allocations include $1.5 million to market the paintings of Ukrainian women. OMB Director Russ Vought had previously indicated the administration was considering using a pocket rescission later in the year. The Trump administration also sought Supreme Court approval to withhold billions in foreign aid before the fiscal year ends, arguing that Congress should address spending shortfalls under the Impoundment Control Act. Solicitor General John Sauer emphasized that any disputes about funds should be resolved by political branches rather than the judiciary.
