Washington, DC – A recent Supreme Court ruling has denied the Trump administration’s request to keep billions of dollars in foreign aid frozen, as approved by Congress. The divided court, in a 5-4 decision, allowed the White House to continue disputing the issue in lower courts. The majority of justices noted that a court-ordered deadline to spend the money had already passed, urging lower courts to clarify the government’s obligations to comply with the temporary restraining order.
The dissent from conservative justices raised concerns over the decision, with Justice Alito expressing shock over permitting unfreezing of the foreign aid. The ruling, while 5-4, was described as “extremely modest” by legal experts, leaving room for the district court to compel the payments. The expedited appeal to the high court reflects the urgency of the case, marking the second dealing with Trump’s efforts to assert power in the executive branch.
At the heart of the case is the freeze on billions in foreign aid aimed at aligning agencies with the administration’s agenda. Nonprofit groups emphasized the devastating impact of the funding freeze on global health programs. The groups pointed out the critical role of the aid in advancing US interests abroad and saving lives worldwide, urging the court to intervene.
US District Judge Amir Ali ordered the administration to spend the frozen funds by a specific deadline, prompting an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court. The administration’s argument that it is struggling to meet the timeline due to the need for careful review of payment requests was met with skepticism. Chief Justice Roberts granted a temporary reprieve, pushing pause on the case for further arguments to be presented.
The freeze on USAID and State Department awards has disrupted aid programs globally, affecting millions of people. The termination of a significant portion of the aid awards has caused programs to come to a standstill, leaving many vulnerable populations without critical assistance. As legal battles continue, the fate of the frozen aid remains uncertain, impacting communities around the world.