WASHINGTON: A divided Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to keep billions in Congress-approved foreign aid frozen.
However, the ruling did not specify when the funds must be released, allowing further legal disputes in lower courts.
The decision came in a 5-4 vote, with conservative justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh dissenting.
Chief Justice John Roberts, along with Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, and Ketanji Brown Jackson, formed the majority.
The court emphasized that lower courts should clarify how the government must comply with spending deadlines.
Strong Dissent
Justice Alito sharply criticized the ruling, expressing disbelief over the lower court’s power to enforce the spending order.
He argued that the judiciary was exceeding its authority by mandating how the executive branch spends the money.
Alito wrote that courts have other ways to address disputes but should not expand their jurisdiction beyond legal limits.
The case moved quickly through the legal system, reaching the Supreme Court in just a few days.
It is one of the first major Trump-era legal battles over executive authority to reach the justices this year.
Foreign Aid Freeze
At the center of the case is aid funding from the State Department and USAID, which Trump froze in January.
The administration justified the freeze as part of an effort to align spending with Trump’s foreign policy agenda.
However, nonprofit groups sued, arguing that blocking the funds violated Congress’s power over government spending.
The groups claimed the administration’s actions harmed global health and stability programs supported by US aid.
They insisted that US assistance prevents crises like disease outbreaks before they reach American shores.
Lower Court Intervention
US District Judge Amir Ali ruled on February 13 that a portion of the funds must continue to be distributed.
Days later, after claims that the administration ignored the order, Ali imposed a midnight deadline to resume payments.
The Trump administration quickly appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing it needed more time to review payments.
Government lawyers said they were making efforts to process funding but could not meet the judge’s timeline.
The nonprofit groups countered, claiming political appointees were deliberately blocking disbursements.
Supreme Court Steps In
Chief Justice Roberts issued a temporary stay, pausing enforcement to allow both sides to submit written arguments.
The administration also revealed its plan to terminate 90% of USAID foreign aid contracts, affecting thousands of programs.
A court filing disclosed that 5,800 USAID awards were canceled, leaving just 500 active projects.
The retained programs have a total budget of $57 billion, while thousands of State Department contracts were also terminated.
Aid programs worldwide have stalled due to the administration’s funding freeze and staff cuts at USAID.
Democratic Response
Democrats in Congress celebrated the ruling, arguing it reaffirmed Congress’s authority over government spending.
Rep. Gregory Meeks, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called the decision a major victory.
He said Trump must now unfreeze aid, allowing contractors and programs to resume their work.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal called the ruling “a significant decision” even from a court with several Trump-appointed justices.
She stressed that Congress controls spending, and recipients depend on approved funding to continue operations.
Future Uncertainty
Jayapal expressed doubt about whether the Trump administration would comply fully with the ruling.
She urged officials to follow the Supreme Court’s decision and immediately release the frozen funds.
Many aid organizations remain concerned about whether funding will resume quickly enough to prevent major disruptions.
The ruling is seen as an early sign of how the Supreme Court may handle future Trump-related cases.
With billions at stake, legal battles over executive power and government spending are likely to continue.
