A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to pay nearly $2 billion owed to partners of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, ending a six-week freeze on foreign assistance funding. U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ruled in favor of nonprofit groups and businesses that challenged the funding freeze, highlighting skepticism towards the administration’s argument of broad presidential authority over spending decisions related to foreign aid. The judge’s questioning underscored the seriousness of considering appropriations as optional and raised constitutional concerns.
This ruling follows a recent Supreme Court decision that rejected the administration’s attempt to halt funding through USAID, directing the government to comply with the order to release funds for completed work. The funding freeze originated from an executive order by President Trump in January, prompting legal challenges and disruptions to global aid programs. The administration has since transitioned to individualized determinations, resulting in the termination of thousands of USAID contracts and State Department grants totaling nearly $60 billion.
The court’s intervention underscores the importance of upholding congressional decisions on foreign aid spending and ensuring the timely delivery of assistance to partners around the world. As the legal battle continues, the implications of this case on future funding decisions and the broader landscape of foreign assistance remain significant.
