In a narrow 5-4 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has directed the Trump administration to comply with a lower court’s order, mandating the release of nearly $2 billion in frozen foreign aid payments to nonprofit organizations. The funds were intended for work already completed on behalf of the U.S. government.
The decision saw Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett siding with the liberal justices, emphasizing the need for compliance with the district court’s ruling. The Supreme Court did not provide further details but called for clarification on the government’s obligations under the temporary restraining order, considering practical timelines.
This ruling challenges the Trump administration’s decision to freeze foreign aid, with Justice Samuel Alito dissenting, calling the ruling an overreach by a single district court judge. Alito expressed concern about the power granted to a district court in potentially compelling the government to release taxpayer dollars.
The case remains ongoing, with a lower court judge still deliberating whether to impose a longer-term injunction on the freeze.
U.S. Supreme Court Building Picture on Wikimedia by The US Capitol CC BY SA 4 0
