US top court ‘blocks’ district judge order for Trump on foreign aid funding

Chief justice John Roberts of the U.S. Supreme Court has granted the Donald Trump administration's request for a stay, temporarily halting U.S. district court judge Amir Ali's order that required the federal government to disburse nearly $2 billion in foreign aid funds by midnight on Wednesday, 26 February. This pause allows the Supreme Court additional time to consider the administration's appeal against the lower court's ruling, the CNN reported.

The administration, through acting solicitor general Sarah Harris, argued that complying with Judge Ali's deadline was unfeasible and would cause irreparable harm to the government's financial management and foreign aid policies.

The funds in question pertain to contracts and grants managed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which the administration has targeted for significant budget reductions, aiming to cut over 90% of its foreign aid contracts, totaling approximately $60 billion, AP reported.

Judge Ali's initial order responded to lawsuits from aid organisations claiming that the funding freeze severely disrupted their operations and jeopardised critical humanitarian projects worldwide.

Chief justice Roberts has requested these organisations to submit their responses by noon on Friday, after which the Supreme Court will determine its next steps regarding the dispute.

The legal battle underscores the ongoing tension between the administration's "America First" policy, which advocates for reduced foreign assistance, and the obligations to international aid commitments that support global development and humanitarian efforts.

Sarah Harris, the acting solicitor general, appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday, requesting that the court vacate the lower court's order requiring the federal government to pay nearly $2 billion to foreign aid groups.

In her filing, Harris argued that the "district court's imminent and arbitrary deadline makes full compliance impossible". She stated that forcing the administration to distribute these funds on such short notice would cause irreparable harm to the government's financial management and foreign aid policies. The administration also emphasised its intent to significantly reduce USAID's budget, aligning with its broader policy of cutting foreign aid.

The issue has sparked political and legal debate, with critics arguing that the administration's policies jeopardise critical humanitarian programs worldwide, while supporters claim the reductions align with an "America First" approach to governance.