Judge Rules Against Trump Admin: Foreign Aid Funds Must Flow

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration must expedite $2 billion in foreign aid payments while confirming that the president cannot reject congressional appropriations for foreign aid. Despite the ruling, Trump's freeze on aid contracts continues, risking ongoing global humanitarian efforts.

In a significant decision on Monday, a federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump's administration must expedite nearly $2 billion in foreign aid payments that have been frozen since he took office. U.S. District Judge Amir Ali determined that the president cannot refuse to spend money allocated by Congress for foreign aid. His ruling, however, doesn't compel spending on specific contracts unless Congress insists otherwise, underscoring foreign aid as a constitutionally necessary joint enterprise between the branches of government.

This order follows legal challenges by organizations partnered with the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department. These groups opposed the administration's broad freeze on foreign aid payments, inspired by a January 20 executive order. Lawyer Lauren Bateman, representing several plaintiffs, expressed that despite legal victories, the humanitarian fallout remains concerning.

Judge Ali criticized the administration for its mass termination of foreign aid contracts, suggesting inadequate individual reviews were performed. He has mandated that past work invoices, totaling $671 million, be settled by Monday's deadline. Even as some payments resume, the White House's freeze continues to undermine global aid efforts and international partnerships.

(With inputs from agencies.)