Two U.S. officials say the Trump administration could cut nearly 50% of State Department funding next year, according to an internal memo that has submitted a seriously considered reduction plan from department leaders. The plan was created to pressure the White House to make significant budget cuts.
The memo, a copy obtained by the New York Times, proposes eliminating almost all funding to international organizations such as the United Nations and NATO, and ends budgets to support international peacekeeping operations and reduce all educational and cultural exchanges in the sector, like the Fulbright program.
It also proposes a 50% reduction in funding for humanitarian assistance and global health programs despite the pledge that Secretary of State Marco Rubio's lifesaving assistance will be preserved.
It was not clear whether Rubio approved the cut outlined in the memo dated April 10th. Pete Marrocco oversaw the intensity of the government's foreign aid program before leaving the department abruptly. It was also not clear how seriously the proposed cuts would be enjoyed in Congress.
However, according to US officials familiar with department reviews, the White House could send budget proposals to Congress this spring, which is essentially similar to what the memo outlines to promote lawmakers to formalise already ongoing downsizing efforts.
The agency faces a deadline this week to submit a detailed restructuring plan to the White House this week explaining what they will do to help further reduce the federal government. While many departments have already announced or launched planned cuts, the State Department has yet to disclose full plans for downsizing. This memo is part of the process that involves deal proposals and proposals from the White House Budget Office and the State Department.
Reports of the sudden cuts already featured Democrats who were entangled with Capitol Hill.
“We will release our country, expose and allow China and Russia to fill the vacuum that has been vacant by this administration,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, a top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, in a statement Monday.
“Why would we cut NATO funding in the world at a time when wars intensify in Europe and the security threats on the continent grow?” she added.
“We're a sought-after,” said Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii, a top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. “Eventually, Congress manages the strings of the wallet, but recent reports on the administration's plans for State Department officials, overseas presence and foreign aid are deeply troubling.
“I would like to hear directly from Secretary Rubio,” he added.
Copying of budget memos has recently begun to be distributed in Washington. The Washington Post reported details of the memo on Monday.
The State Department did not immediately comment.
The memo says the State Department will request a $28.4 billion budget for fiscal year 2026. This will start on October 1st. It says that the figure is $26 billion less than what was listed in the 2025 book.
According to the memo, the administration intends to support several funds this year as well. Marrocco and Pitkin wrote that the Trump administration is trying to reclaim the funds that have been handed back to the Treasury Department from fiscal 2025.
Among other cuts, the memo proposes to maintain pay until fiscal year 2026 and adopt a freeze. Overall, the memo seeks to reduce foreign aid spending at more than half of the current budget levels of the State Department and USAID
Rubio promised last month that the State Department would continue to manage many life-saving programs, but the Trump administration quietly cancelled some of these initiatives in recent weeks.
The only funding for the Global Health Program, which the State Department intends to preserve, is $2.9 billion for HIV treatment provided through the president's emergency plan for AIDS relief. $687 million for intervention in diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. $200 million for global health security. The global fund's $800 million was distributed at a rate of $1 for each other $4 donors provided. The Global Fund is an international organization that funds the treatment and prevention of disease.
All other programs, including those addressing neglected tropical diseases, will provide vaccines to children in poor countries and reduce the health of mothers and children.
This memo does not provide details on humanitarian reductions. It outlines the $2.5 billion dollars for the new Department for Humanitarian Aid at the State Department and the $1.5 billion dollars for emergency migrant and refugee assistance that President Trump can use “to deal with humanitarian emergencies.”
The memo also proposes a one-year freeze on major drug control programs, streamlining the funding moratorium by noting that the program has $1.4 billion in hand that is supposed to cover that period.
Additionally, it is envisaged to create an American First-On Styrillity Fund of approximately $2 billion for the Treasury. This envisages that the Trump administration's latitude will “provide targeted support for economic development support for persistent and emerging Trump administration priorities.”
Stephanie Nolen contributed the report.
