Key points
- Executive order paused aid for 90 days
- Judge orders $2 billion aid payment
- Court questions legal standing
ISLAMABAD: The Trump administration has asked the US Supreme Court to lift an injunction preventing it from halting billions in foreign aid payments.
In an emergency request, the Justice Department urged the court’s conservative majority to allow a pause on aid spending, citing a recent ruling by a DC Circuit Court panel that said the injunction should be overturned.
🚨 **SHOCKING BREAKING NEWS** 🚨:
The Supreme Court just SLAMMED the brakes on a rogue lower court judge’s crooked order, stopping President Trump from being forced to cough up $2 BILLION in foreign aid payments—for now!
Justice prevails! 🇺🇸💥 pic.twitter.com/VIg7AYLt12
— Mila Joy (@MilaLovesJoe) February 27, 2025
Despite the panel’s 2-1 decision, the injunction remains in place after the full appeals court refused to suspend it. District Judge Amir Ali, appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden, also rejected a request to lift it earlier this week, according to Reuters.
President Trump, re-elected for a second term, signed an executive order on 20 January pausing all foreign aid for 90 days. He followed this with steps to weaken USAID, placing staff on leave and exploring its integration into the State Department.
“Unlawful freeze”
Two nonprofits, the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition and Journalism Development Network, sued the administration, arguing the aid freeze was unlawful. Ali ordered the government to pay nearly $2 billion in overdue funds to humanitarian partners. In March, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, refused to block that payment.
BREAKING:
The US Supreme Court just denied President Trump‘s bid to cancel $2 billion in USAID spending in a 5-4 vote.
So basically SCOTUS is over ruling Trump to pay out foreign aid.
Roberts & Barrett sided with Democrat appointed justices.
Trump appointed Barrett. pic.twitter.com/vhiZzIQhi5
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) March 5, 2025
The administration says the injunction affects tens of billions in congressionally approved funds, with around $12 billion due for disbursement by 30 September or risk expiring. Officials argue the order undermines the Executive Branch’s foreign policy and hinders coordination between branches of government.
The DC Circuit ruled that only the Government Accountability Office, a federal watchdog, could challenge the aid freeze. Circuit Judge Karen Henderson, writing for the majority, said the nonprofits lacked legal standing for an injunction.
Lawyers representing the nonprofits have not yet commented.
