Trump’s $5 Billion Bombshell: Congress FURIOUS

President Trump’s unprecedented move to cancel $5 billion in foreign aid using a rarely invoked executive maneuver has ignited a fierce constitutional showdown and promises to reshape America’s global commitments.

Story Snapshot

Trump cancels $5 billion in foreign aid via rare “pocket rescission,” the first in nearly 50 years.
The maneuver bypasses Congress, raising major legal and constitutional questions over executive power.
Funds targeted by the Trump administration are labeled as supporting “woke, weaponized, and wasteful” programs.
Congress and federal watchdogs warn the move undermines the separation of powers and threatens vital international aid programs.

Trump’s Historic Pocket Rescission Targets Foreign Aid

In August 2025, President Trump deployed a “pocket rescission” to unilaterally cancel nearly $5 billion in congressionally approved foreign aid, primarily impacting the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The administration frames these cuts as eliminating “woke, weaponized, and wasteful” spending, aligning with the President’s America First agenda. This marks the first use of such a maneuver in almost half a century, marking a direct challenge to congressional control over federal spending and sparking immediate controversy in Washington.

The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 was designed to prevent presidents from unilaterally withholding funds appropriated by Congress, mandating that rescissions require legislative approval. A pocket rescission, however, attempts to exploit a loophole by withholding funds until they expire, effectively canceling them without congressional consent. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) and legal experts have repeatedly declared this tactic illegal, viewing it as an infringement on Congress’s constitutional “power of the purse.” Despite this, Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) insists the move is necessary to halt funding for programs at odds with national priorities.

Constitutional Clash and Political Fallout

The cancellation has triggered a major constitutional confrontation between the executive and legislative branches. Congressional leaders from both parties have condemned the move, arguing it erodes legislative authority and upends decades of checks and balances. The GAO reaffirmed its stance that pocket rescissions violate federal law. Legal challenges are now expected as Congress seeks to defend its constitutional prerogatives. Meanwhile, the administration continues to justify the decision by highlighting foreign aid allocations for climate change, diversity initiatives, and social programs as incompatible with conservative American values.

USAID stands to lose $3.2 billion in development funding, immediately impacting humanitarian, climate, and social inclusion projects worldwide. International partners and NGOs reliant on U.S. assistance face sudden funding gaps, threatening ongoing operations in vulnerable communities. Aid experts warn that such abrupt cuts will have severe humanitarian consequences and may undermine the United States’ reputation as a reliable global donor. Domestic contractors and organizations that depend on USAID funds could also see layoffs and project cancellations, compounding the economic impact at home and abroad.

Ideological Battle over “Woke” Spending

The Trump administration’s rhetoric frames the rescinded funds as emblematic of leftist “woke” agendas—targeting climate change, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), and LGBTQ initiatives. This ideological framing resonates with many conservatives frustrated by what they view as the previous administration’s globalist priorities and fiscal irresponsibility. Supporters argue that cutting funds to such programs is a necessary correction, restoring the federal budget to core American interests and values. Critics, however, see the move as an unprecedented power grab that could set a dangerous precedent for future presidents to override Congress at will.

President Trump Uses Rare Move In Attempt To Scrap BILLIONS In Foreign Aid https://t.co/XqiBErq6Z0 #100percFEDUP via @100percFEDUP

— SASSYCHICK (@KT07500539) August 29, 2025

The legal and political battle over the pocket rescission is far from over. Congressional leaders are preparing lawsuits to block the maneuver and restore legislative authority. The GAO’s opposition underscores the gravity of the constitutional stakes. Meanwhile, the administration remains defiant, promising to continue rooting out what it sees as wasteful and ideologically driven spending. The outcome of this showdown could reshape the balance of power between Congress and the presidency, with lasting consequences for U.S. foreign policy and the nation’s constitutional framework.