Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Release Billions in Foreign Aid
A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration must release $11.5 billion in foreign aid that was approved by Congress, including funds that President Trump had stated would not be spent. U.S. District Judge Amir Ali in Washington issued a preliminary injunction, stating that the administration’s decision to withhold the funding was likely illegal. The ruling comes after the administration had attempted to use a pocket rescission, a tactic in which a president submits a request to Congress to not spend approved funds, effectively cutting the budget without legislative approval.
Background on the Case
The case began when President Trump told House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) in a letter on August 28 that he would not spend $4.9 billion in congressionally approved foreign aid. The move was met with opposition from nonprofit organizations, which argued that the freeze on funding would shut down urgent lifesaving programs abroad. The organizations sued the government, claiming that the administration’s actions were illegal and that only Congress has the power to control the purse strings.
Judge Ali’s Ruling
Judge Ali’s ruling stated that the administration does not have the discretion to decide whether or not to spend the funds, as this power is reserved for Congress. “To be clear, no one disputes that Defendants have significant discretion in how to spend the funds at issue, and the Court is not directing Defendants to make payments to any particular recipients,” Ali wrote. “But Defendants do not have any discretion as to whether to spend the funds.” The ruling is seen as a victory for the rule of law and a reaffirmation of Congress’s power over the budget.
Reaction to the Ruling
The Trump administration has filed a notice of appeal, with White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stating that “President Trump has the executive authority to ensure that all foreign aid is accountable to taxpayers and aligns with the America First priorities people voted for.” However, Elisha Dunn-Georgiou, president and chief executive of Global Health Council, one of the groups involved in the case, hailed the decision as a victory for the rule of law and a reminder that “only Congress controls the power of the purse.”
Implications of the Ruling
The ruling has significant implications for the distribution of foreign aid, with nearly $4 billion slated for global health programs and over $6 billion for HIV and AIDS programs. The funds had been frozen by the administration, which had portrayed the spending as wasteful and not aligned with its foreign policy goals. However, with the ruling, the administration will be required to release the funds, potentially saving countless lives abroad.
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