US foreign aid projects face scrutiny under Trump administration's new review criteria

US President Donald Trump

Hundreds of foreign aid projects frozen by the Trump administration are now under review, with staff being required to justify their work through a newly issued White House survey. The questionnaire asks whether projects align with the administration’s national security priorities, including limiting illegal immigration, securing US borders, and "combating Christian persecution."

The survey, copies of which were obtained by The Guardian, has raised concerns among aid workers and organisations who say the criteria are eccentric and politicised. Respondents are required to confirm that their programmes do not include climate-related initiatives, environmental justice elements, or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) components—issues that have been restricted under the Trump administration.

Foreign aid funding freeze leaves programmes in limbo

Thousands of aid projects have been forced to lay off staff and cut partnerships due to the White House-imposed funding freeze. Even if stop-work orders are lifted, many programmes may not be able to resume operations due to the disruption. The Trump administration has claimed that life-saving programmes have been restored and that all foreign aid is being reviewed under rigorous new criteria, though aid staff report confusion and a lack of clear communication from USAID and the State Department.

Internal concerns and legal challenges

A report from ProPublica cited officials who said that USAID acting head Peter Marocco and Secretary of State Marco Rubio cut crucial programmes without consulting contract officers responsible for oversight. Additionally, a recent Supreme Court ruling blocked the Trump administration from freezing nearly $2 billion in foreign aid, forcing the government to begin lifting stop-work orders for some projects.

However, many aid organisations remain wary of the new review process. "We might not submit the survey now because we’re worried it could be used against us later," said one program director whose project was reinstated. "A lot of organisations are refusing to comply."

Administration’s priorities shift foreign aid focus

The questionnaire reflects the administration’s "America First" approach to foreign aid, assessing whether programmes work with “communist, socialist, or totalitarian parties” or contribute to limiting reliance on international bodies such as the UN and WHO. The survey also inquires whether programmes receive funding from adversarial nations, including Russia, China, Cuba, or Iran.

A series of memos from USAID’s acting assistant administrator for global health, Nicholas Enrich, warned that the administration’s aid cuts could have dire humanitarian consequences, including an estimated 1 million children going untreated for severe malnutrition annually, along with 18 million additional malaria cases and 200,000 children paralysed by polio.

Despite mounting concerns and legal pushback, the Trump administration appears committed to reshaping foreign aid in alignment with its national security and ideological priorities. The future of USAID and other humanitarian programmes remains uncertain as organisations navigate the administration’s shifting requirements.