A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to release billions in U.S. foreign aid within two days, expressing frustration over the administration’s failure to comply with an earlier directive. Nearly two weeks prior, the court had instructed the government to lift a funding freeze, yet there has been little indication of progress.
The lawsuit, initiated by nonprofit groups, challenges the halt of foreign assistance funds managed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department. This funding suspension followed a January 20 executive order from President Donald Trump, which targeted what he deemed wasteful programs that contradicted his foreign policy objectives.
Organizations and businesses that rely on federal money for overseas work argue that the funding freeze violates federal law and has critically impacted essential life-saving initiatives. By withholding these funds, the administration has forced substantial layoffs among tens of thousands of employees within these organizations, pushing some towards financial instability.
U.S. District Judge Amir H. Ali, on February 13, issued a temporary order for funding to resume, including an obligation for the administration to settle outstanding payments. Nonetheless, both USAID employees and affiliates claim there have been no payments processed to date.
Judge Ali questioned Indraneel Sur, a government attorney, about any efforts to release the frozen funds. “I’m not sure why I can’t get a straight answer from you on this: Are you aware of an unfreezing of the disbursement of funds for those contracts and agreements that were frozen before February 13?” asked the judge. Sur acknowledged his inability to provide a concrete answer.
The AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition and the Global Health Council, spearheading the case, represent international health organizations dependent on U.S. funds. They urged Ali to hold the Trump administration in contempt for disregarding his prior order.
This is the second instance where the judiciary has determined that the Trump administration failed to comply with court orders. Earlier this month, U.S. District Court Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island ruled that the administration had not entirely unfrozen federal grants and loans domestically, even after blocking extensive plans to pause a multitude of government expenditures.
