U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Trump’s Attempt to Block 2 Billion in Foreign Aid
Supporters of USAID workers in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC, U.S., March 5, 2025. Photo: EFE
March 5, 2025 Hour: 1:54 pm
The ruling represents a setback for Trump, who took measures to curb U.S. humanitarian projects worldwide.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected President Donald Trump’s attempt to block the payment of US$2 billion allocated to international aid organizations for work already completed for the U.S. government.
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The ruling represents a setback for Trump, who took measures to curb U.S. humanitarian projects worldwide, even going so far as to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Supreme Court, with a conservative majority, decided to uphold the decision of District of Columbia Judge Amir Ali, who ordered the Trump administration to immediately release the funds for organizations that had benefited from USAID or State Department grants.
Initially, Ali’s order had given Trump until February 26 to disburse the funds allocated for humanitarian projects. On Feb. 26, however, Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily suspended the order just hours before the deadline, giving the Supreme Court more time to consider the Trump administration’s formal request to block Ali’s ruling.
While the Supreme Court has now issued its ruling, the case is not yet over. The Court has asked Ali to clarify what obligations the Trump administration has in carrying out the decision. The next steps will be determined in a court hearing that Ali has scheduled for Thursday.
On his first day in the White House on January 20, Trump ordered a 90-day suspension of all foreign aid, which has hindered the provision of vital medical care in many parts of the world.
Many humanitarian organizations believe that Trump is exceeding his authority under the Constitution, as it is Congress—not the president—that has the power to decide on funding.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
