Johannesburg – In a significant setback for President Donald Trump's "America First" agenda, the US Supreme Court has declined to allow his administration to withhold payments to foreign aid organisations for work already completed. The ruling comes as Trump moves to dismantle American-backed humanitarian projects around the world, sparking outrage and concern among global aid groups.
The divided court, in a 5-4 decision, upheld a lower court's order that called on the administration to promptly release funding to contractors and recipients of grants from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department for their past work. Conservative Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented from the decision.
The order, issued by Washington-based US District Judge Amir Ali, had originally given the administration until 26 February to disburse the funding, which it said totaled nearly $2 billion. Chief Justice John Roberts paused that order hours before the deadline to allow the Supreme Court time to consider the administration's request to block Ali's ruling.
Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris argued that blocking Ali's order "is warranted to prevent reinstatement of a new, short-fused deadline that would unlawfully commandeer federal payment processes anew". Harris claimed the judge's order amounted to judicial overreach and had given the administration too little time to scrutinise the invoices "to ensure the legitimacy of all payments". Lawyers representing the administration said full payments could take weeks.
Trump's "America First" Agenda Jeopardises Life-Saving Aid
Aid organisations have accused Trump in lawsuits of exceeding his authority under federal law and the US Constitution by effectively dismantling an independent federal agency and cancelling spending authorised by Congress.
The organisations argued that they "would face extraordinary and irreversible harm if the funding freeze continues," as would their employees and those who depend on their work. They added that their "work advances US interests abroad and improves — and, in many cases, literally saves — the lives of millions of people across the globe," helping to "stop problems like disease and instability overseas before they reach our shores."
"The government's actions have largely brought this work to a halt," the lawyers wrote, adding that the Trump administration "comes to this court with an emergency of its own making".
Global Aid Groups Warn of Catastrophic Consequences
The Trump administration had kept the disputed payments largely frozen despite a temporary restraining order from Ali that they be released, and multiple subsequent orders that the administration comply. Ali's 25 February enforcement order applied to payment for work done by foreign aid groups before 13 February, when the judge issued his temporary restraining order to prevent irreparable harm to the plaintiffs while he considers their claims.
The Supreme Court's decision provides a temporary reprieve for these organisations and the millions of people they serve. However, the long-term impact of Trump's policies on global humanitarian relief efforts remains uncertain, with aid groups bracing for further challenges as the administration continues to pursue its "America First" agenda. The lives of countless vulnerable individuals hang in the balance as the battle over US foreign aid continues to unfold.
