Supreme Court Permits Trump Administration to Freeze $4 Billion in Foreign Aid
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, has temporarily allowed the Trump administration to withhold approximately $4 billion in congressionally approved foreign aid, reversing a lower court order that compelled the release of the funds. The ruling, issued Friday, hinges on the court’s assessment that the plaintiff aid organizations likely lack standing to challenge the administration’s actions and that presidential authority in foreign policy outweighs potential harm to aid recipients.
The decision marks the latest instance of the Supreme Court siding with the Trump administration, bolstering its “America First” foreign policy agenda. Since returning to office in January, president Trump froze U.S. foreign aid and subsequently eliminated over 80% of U.S. development aid programs, prompting widespread concern among aid organizations globally. USAID officially ceased operations on July 1st.
the administration argues the expenditure of funds on foreign aid, UN peacekeeping missions, and democratic promotion initiatives conflicts with the President’s foreign policy priorities. While the court’s action suspends the lower court’s order and allows for the temporary freeze, it is not a final ruling. The case will continue to be litigated in lower courts.
The three liberal justices on the nine-member court dissented from the majority opinion. The U.S.Constitution grants budgetary authority to Congress, but the administration maintains it has the power to redirect funds based on policy considerations. The Supreme Court has consistently favored the government in cases reviewed since President Trump’s return to office.
