Washington, D.C. – A federal judge in Washington D.C. has issued a deadline for the Trump administration to release billions in U.S. foreign aid which had been frozen. The administration is facing legal action from nonprofit organizations over the abrupt halt in foreign assistance through USAID and the State Department earlier this year. This funding freeze was implemented following an executive order by President Donald Trump on January 20th, aimed at cutting what he deemed wasteful programs not aligned with his foreign policy objectives. As a result of the freeze, vital life-saving programs abroad have been left without funding, leading to lay-offs and financial instability for many organizations.
Judge Amir H. Ali’s ruling on February 13th instructed the administration to resume funding while also paying outstanding bills owed to partners. Despite this order, USAID affiliates, as well as businesses and nonprofit groups, report having not received any funds as of yet. The uncertainty surrounding the release of funds has further exacerbated the financial strain faced by these organizations. Amidst the ongoing legal battle, the government’s lawyer has been unable to provide a clear answer regarding the status of fund disbursements.
The lawsuit, brought forward by the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition and the Global Health Council, highlights the impact of the funding freeze on health organizations operating abroad and calls for accountability from the Trump administration. This is not the first time that the administration has faced legal scrutiny for failing to comply with court orders. In a separate case in Rhode Island, a judge found that federal grants and loans within the U.S. had not been fully unfrozen despite a court ruling against the administration’s plans to halt government spending.
The lack of clarity and delay in releasing funds has raised concerns among organizations reliant on federal assistance for their operations abroad. The legal battle underscores the broader implications of the administration’s policies on foreign aid and the potential humanitarian consequences of funding freezes. With the deadline set by the federal judge, the pressure is on the Trump administration to act promptly and fulfill its obligations to ensure critical programs and services can resume functioning without further interruption.