Supreme Court Blocks Trump’s Freeze on USAID Funding
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against the Trump administration’s attempt to halt USAID payments to foreign aid organizations, preventing a freeze on funding.
In a 5-4 decision on March 5, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling by federal judge Amir Ali in Washington, D.C., which required the Trump administration to swiftly process payments owed to contractors and grant recipients under the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
However, the court did not specify a deadline for the disbursement of funds. The ruling acknowledged that the previous court-ordered deadline had passed and urged lower courts to “clarify the government’s obligations to ensure compliance with the decision.”
The ruling drew sharp criticism from the four conservative justices. Justice Samuel Alito questioned whether a federal judge should have the power to compel the U.S. government to allocate $2 billion in taxpayer funds for foreign aid. “The answer is clearly no, but the majority on this court seems to think otherwise. I am stunned,” he said.
On February 13, Judge Ali had ordered the Trump administration to release nearly $2 billion in USAID payments by February 26. However, in a March 3 filing to the Supreme Court, Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris argued that the ruling should be overturned, claiming it exceeded judicial authority and gave the administration insufficient time to conduct a thorough review of the payments.
President Trump announced on January 24 that his administration would suspend most foreign aid, stating that a review was necessary to ensure that spending aligned with his “America First” policy.
The Trump administration has yet to comment on the Supreme Court’s decision.
USAID, established in 1961 under the Foreign Assistance Act, operates with an annual budget of nearly $43 billion. The independent agency provides support to strategically important countries, conflict-prone regions, and initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation, disease prevention, and humanitarian assistance. It also promotes economic growth and integration into global trade for developing nations.
USAID has recently come under scrutiny from the Office of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk. Last month, Musk described USAID as a “criminal organization,” accusing it of misconduct and signaling aggressive efforts to streamline its workforce and budget.
(Sources: AFP, Reuters, CNN)
Hello Shuttle will strive to bring the latest updates. At the end of the day.
Are you looking for reliable airport and cruise port transfer services in Los Angeles?
We offer professional, safe, and punctual transportation from
Los Angeles Airport - LAX
Long Beach Airport - LGB
John Wayne Airport - SNA
San Pedro cruise port
Long Beach cruise port
Disneyland
and other destinations.
Let us make your journey stress-free and comfortable with our dedicated drivers and high-quality vehicles. Book now for the perfect travel experience at www.helloshuttle.com or call 944-800-5678!
