The Supreme Court reportedly recently delivered a divided ruling against the Trump administration’s attempt to challenge a federal judge’s order regarding foreign aid.
In a close 5-4 decision, the court directed U.S. District Judge Amir Ali to clarify his earlier ruling that mandated the release of nearly $2 billion in foreign aid intended for completed projects.
This ruling marks a setback for the Trump administration, as organizations that sued for the funds are still awaiting the financial support they claim is owed.
One nonprofit recently had to lay off 110 employees due to the funding freeze, highlighting the immediate real-world impact of the court’s decision.
Justice Samuel Alito led the dissenting justices, expressing concern that the ruling rewards what he termed a “judicial hubris” and imposes a significant financial burden on taxpayers.
The majority of the court, which included Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, noted that the administration had not contested the initial order itself but only the deadline for compliance, which had already passed.
The court’s decision leaves in place Judge Ali’s temporary restraining order that paused the spending freeze, and a subsequent hearing is expected to consider a more permanent resolution.
The Trump administration has argued that it has moved from a blanket spending freeze to a more nuanced approach, resulting in the cancellation of thousands of contracts and grants totaling nearly $60 billion.
As the legal battles continue, the implications of these decisions on foreign aid and the broader context of governmental authority are significant and will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.
[READ MORE: Trump Admin Pauses All Aide to Ukraine After Zelensky Blow Up]
