UN Chief Warns of Potential Funding Cuts Following Trump’s Executive Order “`

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is preparing his staff for potential adjustments in US foreign policy under President Trump. In a letter to UN staff, Guterres acknowledged the significant challenges facing the organization.

Guterres’ letter assured staff that the UN is actively working to understand and lessen the impact of these policy changes on its operations.

He emphasized the crucial nature of the UN’s work and expressed confidence that staff dedication would help navigate these difficulties. The goal, he stated, is to continue serving those in need globally.

Responding to a request for comment, Guterres’ spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, highlighted the life-saving and security-enhancing role of US support for the UN. Dujarric stated that Guterres anticipates a continued productive relationship with President Trump and the US government to strengthen this collaboration in challenging times.

Dujarric added that the letter served to keep staff informed, emphasizing President Trump’s recognition of the UN’s crucial role in addressing major global challenges.

Former Principal Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Hugh Dugan, shared that UN staff, from senior leadership down, are experiencing significant anxiety. Dugan attributes this unease to increased accountability from Washington, specifically citing concerns around a certain initiative (DOGE) and his own work.

Dugan predicts that the UN will need to demonstrate responsible resource management and accounting practices to satisfy heightened scrutiny from the US government.

This communication followed President Trump’s Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, issued just over two weeks prior.

Trump’s order mandates that all US foreign assistance be aligned with his administration’s foreign policy goals.

While the order temporarily halts foreign aid programs for 90 days, it grants Secretary of State Marco Rubio authority to waive this suspension for specific programs.

Trump administration officials assert that they have identified instances of wasteful government spending in foreign funding. Examples cited include a $1.5 million USAID project focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in Serbian workplaces and a $2 million program supporting LGBT activism in Guatemala.

In her initial briefing, OMB Director Shalanda Young stated that DOGE and OMB discovered an impending disbursement of approximately $50 million in taxpayer funds for condoms in Gaza.

Young described this as an unacceptable waste of taxpayer money, highlighting the rationale behind the temporary halt on aid programs.

While funding for condoms in Gaza might appear public health-related, reports indicate Hamas’ past use of condoms to deliver incendiary devices and IEDs into Israel.

During his 2024 campaign, Trump focused on government spending, introducing DOGE as a method to address wasteful expenditures.

Following Trump’s order, Secretary Rubio suspended all US foreign assistance programs funded by or through the State Department and USAID, pending review.

A State Department statement emphasized the importance of this review to protect taxpayer investments and ensure that foreign assistance funds are used judiciously and align with US foreign policy under the “America First” agenda.