The federal judiciary has delivered a decisive order to the Trump administration, demanding the restoration of frozen foreign aid programs despite ongoing cost-cutting efforts.
Court Order Challenges Trump Administration
Judge Amir H. Ali has directed the Trump administration to temporarily restore funding to foreign aid programs, counteracting a previously imposed freeze. Judge Ali criticized the blanket suspension, stating that the administration had “not offered any explanation for why a blanket suspension of all congressionally appropriated foreign aid, which set off a shockwave and upended reliance interests for thousands of agreements with businesses, nonprofits, and organizations around the country, was a rational precursor to reviewing programs.” – Ali
A federal judge ordered the administration of US President Donald Trump to restore funding for hundreds of foreign aid contractors who argued that they were negatively impacted by a 90-day blanket freeze, a court filing showed https://t.co/7DTOfDnvG7
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 14, 2025
This directive follows an executive order issued by President Trump on his second inauguration day, which paused nearly all foreign aid for 90 days. The court’s intervention has halted the Trump administration’s plans to dismantle USAID and other international aid projects. This pause has impacted $60 billion in annual aid and development programs. A profound setback, the ruling significantly impacts the administration’s broader goals to restrict spending.
Voices Raised Against the Freeze
The freeze has severely impacted non-profits and organizations utilizing US aid. Many contractors and suppliers worldwide have been left without payment, leading to layoffs and furloughs. The lawsuit by the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition and the Global Health Council emphasizes the pressing need for aid continuation.
A U.S. fed. judge must ensure that the White House restores frozen foreign aid according to a court order, non-profits suing the U.S. government have argued.
Last week judge Amir Ali ordered the Trump administration to restore funding to USAID projects.https://t.co/4jbCIM6gXK
— Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (@OCCRP) February 21, 2025
“rational reason for disregarding the countless small and large businesses that would have to shutter programs or shutter their businesses altogether” – Ali.
Judge Ali highlighted the lack of justification for the aid suspension, a move the administration claims was necessary for a comprehensive review. Hundreds of USAID and humanitarian workers face potential job loss due to the ongoing cost-cutting measures led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). These actions have been criticized as neglecting the nuanced needs of foreign aid programs essential to global partners.
Next Steps and Future Implications
The court ruling bars Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials from enforcing the stop-work orders that have stalled foreign aid. The administration is under scrutiny to comply promptly with this ruling, which applies to contracts established before the freeze took effect.
“By enjoining Defendants and their agents from implementing any directives to undertake such blanket suspension, the Court was not inviting Defendants to continue the suspension while they reviewed contracts and legal authorities to come up with a new, posthoc rationalization for the en masse suspension.” – Amir Ali.
The conclusion of this case could influence the administration’s future foreign policy and spending strategies, as ongoing noncompliance may prompt further legal challenges. The court’s decision remains pivotal for vulnerable international projects hinging on timely aid disbursal.