A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to temporarily reinstate funding for foreign aid contracts and awards, blocking a 90-day pause on U.S. foreign development assistance.
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate funding for foreign aid contracts and other awards while litigation moves forward. The ruling is a setback for President Trump as he seeks to make sweeping changes to the federal government.
U.S. District Judge Amir Ali partially granted a request for a temporary restraining order from a group of organizations that receive funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other agencies. The nonprofit organizations argued that Mr. Trump’s directive and a subsequent memorandum from Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued late last month, which temporarily stopped new obligations of funding for foreign assistance programs and called for stop-work orders, was an unlawful and unconstitutional exercise of executive power.
The judge found that the groups were likely to succeed on the merits of their claims and made a ‘strong preliminary showing that they were likely to suffer irreparable harm.’ The ruling blocks top Trump administration officials from enforcing a pause on foreign assistance funded through the State Department or USAID without authorization and halts new obligations of funding for foreign assistance programs pending a review.
The Trump administration has argued that its decision to issue the 90-day pause on U.S. foreign development assistance allows it to ensure that the projects the U.S. is supporting align with the administration’s foreign policy. However, Judge Ali noted that the administration has not offered any explanation for why a blanket suspension of all congressionally appropriated foreign aid was a rational precursor to reviewing programs.
Foreign aid refers to the transfer of financial or material resources from one country to another with the aim of promoting economic development, alleviating poverty, and improving living standards.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), official development assistance (ODA) from developed countries to developing countries totaled $143 billion in 2020.
The majority of foreign aid comes from the United States, followed by Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
Foreign aid can take various forms, including grants, loans, technical assistance, and humanitarian aid.
The nonprofit organizations argued that Mr. Trump’s directive and Rubio’s memorandum have ‘created chaos in the funding and administration’ of USAID and other foreign assistance programs. They warned that the directive has forced small businesses to shutter, food for starving populations abroad is rotting in ports and warehouses, and medical supplies are expiring.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is a US government agency responsible for providing economic, development, and humanitarian assistance to countries around the world.
Established in 1961, 'reducing poverty, improving health, and promoting democracy and human rights' , USAID works to reduce poverty, improve health, and promote democracy and human rights.
With operations in over 100 countries, USAID provides funding, technical expertise, and support to local partners to achieve sustainable development outcomes.
In 2020, USAID's budget was approximately $22 billion, making it one of the largest providers of international assistance globally.
At least 230 USAID grants and contracts have been terminated or been subject to stop-work orders since Tuesday, Justice Department lawyers said in a filing. The Trump administration has approved a waiver for life-saving humanitarian assistance programs, but the impact of the freeze on foreign assistance funding is still being felt.
The cases before Judge Ali arose from recent efforts by the Trump administration to overhaul USAID, which was founded in 1961 and is an independent agency. Its operations have been in turmoil over the past few weeks amid the Trump administration’s freeze on foreign assistance funding and stop-work orders for USAID contractors and agency partners. The administration also moved to shut down overseas USAID missions and recall thousands of employees living and working abroad.
The ruling is a significant setback for President Trump as he seeks to make sweeping changes to the federal government. However, the case is ongoing, and it remains to be seen how the Trump administration will respond to the judge’s order.
