Trump Proposes 50% State Dept. Cut, Eliminating NATO, UN Funding; Halves NASA Research, Slashes NOAA by 27%

The Trump administration is proposing significant budget cuts across several federal agencies, including the State Department, NASA, and NOAA. The State Department's budget is slated for a nearly 50% reduction, which would result in the closure of 10 embassies and 17 consulates, including those in Eritrea, Luxembourg, South Sudan, and Malta. The proposal also includes the elimination of nearly all funding for international organizations, such as the United Nations and NATO, with a 90% cut to their budgets. Additionally, the plan would reduce humanitarian aid by 54% and global health funding by 55%. NASA's scientific research budget could be cut in half, with Maryland lawmakers expressing concerns over the impact on the state's economy and leadership in space science. NOAA's climate research funding is targeted for a 27% cut, amounting to USD 1.67 billion, which could affect weather forecasting capabilities, particularly in regions like Missouri and India. President Trump, known for denying climate change, has previously withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris Agreement. The proposed cuts to the State Department's budget would leave $28.4 billion for all its activities, a 48% reduction from the 2025 budget approved by Congress. This reduction would also impact humanitarian aid and global health funding, with significant implications for regions like Ukraine, where USAID has provided $2.6 billion in humanitarian aid, $5 billion in development assistance, and over $30 billion in direct budget support since Russia's full-scale invasion began. The Trump administration has already cut 83% of USAID's foreign aid contracts. In response to these proposals, Democrats have voiced strong opposition, with some lawmakers planning to raise concerns directly with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has previously defended NATO. Rubio's stance contrasts with the administration's proposal to eliminate NATO funding. The budget cuts align with broader efforts by the Trump administration to reduce federal spending, though they would require congressional approval to be implemented. Additionally, the administration has proposed freezing Harvard's funding at $2.2 billion and $60 million in multi-year contracts, and cutting funds for NPR, PBS, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting by $1.1 billion.