Republicans Urge Support for Trump's Foreign Aid Policy Amid Criticism

An internal memo circulating among House Republicans is urging lawmakers to advocate that President Donald Trump's approach to foreign aid is "already paying dividends" and that the Biden administration allocated funds for initiatives such as "a transgender opera in Colombia through the State Department."

The three-page document, which was obtained by Fox News Digital from a House GOP source, has been distributed to Republican leadership and members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

It features two pages of recommended talking points, including the assertion that "America is spending $40 billion in foreign aid annually. Much of those aid dollars are not even reaching the intended recipients and are instead propping up an NGO industrial complex that has, for years, swindled the American taxpayer."

The memo encourages Republicans to argue that Trump's freeze on foreign aid "is needed because it's nearly impossible to evaluate foreign aid programs when they are on autopilot."

"A 90-day review period, with commonsense waivers for truly life-threatening situations, is the only way to give the State Department the time needed to root out waste," it continued.

The State Department implemented a freeze on most federal foreign aid shortly after Trump took office. Recently, both Trump and Elon Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) have led a substantial scaling back of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with Secretary of State Marco Rubio now serving as its acting head.

Critics of these measures argue they would empower authoritarian regimes seeking to diminish the United States’ influence globally and jeopardize the lives of thousands relying on that aid.

In contrast, Republicans like House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast, R-Fla., a staunch Trump supporter, contend that these actions are warranted to analyze the effectiveness of foreign assistance aligned with Trump's policy goals.

"America's foreign aid is not charity and its goal should not be to advance DEI abroad," stated the committee on X on Monday.

The memo also motivated lawmakers to cite existing exceptions for "emergency food assistance" and "life-saving medicine, medical services, food, shelter, and subsistence assistance," including necessary supplies and administrative costs.

The final page highlights various instances where committee Republicans indicated foreign aid was directed, such as "$39,652 to host seminars at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on gender identity and racial equality through the State Department" and "$425,622 to assist Indonesian coffee companies in becoming more climate and gender friendly through USAID."

Additional listed priorities included "$14 million in cash vouchers for migrants at the southern border through the State Department," "$446,700 to promote atheism in Nepal through the State Department," and "$32,000 for an LGBTQ-centered comic book in Peru."

A group of House Democrats reported being denied access to USAID headquarters amidst allegations of senior staff cuts and other reductions.

"We are not going to let this injustice happen. Congress created this agency with the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and any changes require amending that law," expressed Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va.

It remains uncertain if all Republicans support Trump's initiatives, as a prior attempt led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to defund USAID saw 127 GOP members oppose it while only 81 supported it.

Trump's foreign aid management has been endorsed by Republicans recognized as national security advocates, including former House Foreign Affairs Chair Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas.

"President Trump and his team are right to scrutinize and revamp U.S. foreign aid distribution to ensure every taxpayer dollar serves its intended purpose. I am optimistic they will achieve this in a manner that enhances the purpose of these programs and strengthens our national security," McCaul stated.