In a pivotal decision, Chief Justice John Roberts of the U.S. Supreme Court issued an interim order on Wednesday, halting a lower court’s deadline for the Trump administration to release foreign aid funds to contractors and grant recipients. The ruling temporarily blocks a federal judge’s order from U.S. District Judge Amir Ali, which had mandated that the administration pay out aid by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday.
Roberts’ action delays a decision on whether the Trump administration’s freeze on foreign aid payments will stand. The Supreme Court is now set to consider the administration’s formal request to block Judge Ali’s ruling. In the interim, Roberts has ordered the plaintiffs—organizations contracted with or receiving grants from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department—to submit their responses by Friday noon.
The case stems from the Trump administration’s significant cuts to U.S. foreign aid. A spokesperson for the State Department confirmed that the administration is slashing over 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts, affecting more than $58 billion in global assistance. These drastic cuts align with the administration’s “America First” agenda, which emphasizes reducing international obligations in favor of domestic priorities.
The conflict centers around lawsuits filed by foreign aid organizations, alleging that the Trump administration unlawfully froze foreign aid payments. Despite a temporary restraining order issued by Judge Ali on February 13, which instructed the release of the funds, the administration has largely ignored the ruling, triggering this latest round of legal action.
The Justice Department has defended the administration’s right to review and terminate foreign aid contracts in accordance with its policy priorities. According to the administration’s latest court filing, USAID has canceled nearly 5,800 aid awards, while the State Department has terminated approximately 4,100 contracts. The reasons for the terminations include the inclusion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which the Trump administration has openly criticized.
The freeze on foreign aid has disrupted vital humanitarian efforts worldwide, particularly life-saving food and medical assistance. USAID, responsible for over 60% of U.S. foreign assistance, faced a major setback when the Trump administration ordered a 90-day pause on foreign aid on its first day in office last month. This freeze, along with stop-work orders for USAID operations, has resulted in severe delays in aid distribution, leaving vulnerable populations in peril.
The dispute over the foreign aid funding also has significant legal implications. Plaintiffs argue that the Trump administration is overstepping its constitutional authority by effectively dismantling an independent agency, and that it is violating federal law by canceling funds already authorized by Congress. As some plaintiffs face imminent shutdowns due to lack of funding, they argue that the administration’s actions have caused irreparable harm to the communities they serve.
One of the lead attorneys for the plaintiffs, Allison Zieve, condemned the administration’s conduct, saying, “The lengths the government is willing to go to flout a court order, all for the goal of ending life-saving humanitarian assistance, is staggering.” Other plaintiffs in the case include the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition, Journalism Development Network, and refugee aid organization HIAS.
The legal battle over the foreign aid freeze continues to unfold, with the Supreme Court’s interim order setting the stage for further deliberations on the case. As the dispute advances, the world’s most vulnerable populations remain at risk, with humanitarian organizations warning that the lack of timely aid will exacerbate crises in multiple regions.
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