Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Pay $2 Billion in Foreign Aid Debts, Amidst Ongoing Funding Freeze
Judge Amir Ali demands nearly $2 billion in payments from Trump administration by Monday as foreign aid funding freeze continues to affect services worldwide.
The Trump administration has moved to slash spending at USAID, announcing plans last month to eliminate more than 90% of its contracts and $60 billion in U.S. foreign assistance around the world.
Trump administration must pay debts to USAID partners by Monday, judge rules
NBC News·3d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Plaintiffs have argued that the lower court judge had ordered the Trump administration to begin making the owed foreign aid payments more than two weeks ago — a deadline they said the government simply failed to meet, or to even take steps to meet — indicating that the administration had no plans to make good on fulfilling that request.
US judge orders Trump admin to pay portion of $2B in foreign aid by Monday
FOX News·3d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.
The high court instructed Ali to clarify what the government must do to comply with his earlier order requiring the quick release of funds for work that had already been done.
Trump administration must pay nearly $2B in USAID and State Department debts, judge rules
PBS NewsHour·3d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
The administration said it has replaced a blanket spending freeze with individualized determinations, which led to the cancellation of 5,800 USAID contracts and 4,1000 State Department grants totaling nearly $60 billion in aid.
Judge orders Trump administration to pay nearly $2 billion in USAID and State Dept. debts
Boston Herald·3d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.
The new schedule comes after the Trump administration for weeks attempted to fend off Ali’s order to resume existing foreign aid contracts.
Judge orders release of some foreign aid payments by Monday
The Hill·3d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The funding freeze has forced organizations around the world to slash services and lay off thousands of workers.
Judge orders Trump administration to pay nearly $2 billion in USAID and State Dept. debts
ABC News·3d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The funding freeze stemmed from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Jan. 20.
Judge orders Trump administration to pay nearly $2 billion in USAID and State Dept. debts
Associated Press·3d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
McConnell’s ruling marks another setback for Trump’s major federal grant fund freeze, and it comes one day after the Trump administration faced a temporary loss at the Supreme Court to freeze $2 billion in foreign aid.
Judge extends block on Trump's funding freeze
Washington Examiner·4d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.
The Executive's categorical freeze of appropriated and obligated funds fundamentally undermines the distinct constitutional roles of each branch of our government.
Trump's sweeping freeze on federal funding hit with another legal blow
USA TODAY·4d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The January pause by the White House Office of Management and Budget, while technically short lived, had 'catastrophic consequences' for states that depend on such funding for everything from Medicaid and child-care programs to infrastructure projects.
Trump Spending Freeze on Grants, Loans Blocked by Another Judge
Bloomberg·4d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Summary
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to pay nearly $2 billion in debts to U.S. Agency for International Development and State Department partners, lifting a six-week funding freeze on foreign assistance. This ruling follows a Supreme Court decision rejecting an administration bid to maintain the freeze. Judge Ali's ruling is significant as it highlights the need for compliance with Congressional appropriations amid services cuts affecting thousands of workers globally. The administration is tasked with resolving payment logistics by a Monday deadline, although challenges may delay the disbursement of funds owed to various nonprofit organizations and aid groups.
Perspectives
Both federal judges ruled against the Trump administration's funding freeze, highlighting that the executive branch is overstepping its constitutional authority and undermining Congress's role in fiscal matters.
The funding freeze has caused significant anxiety and confusion across states, with vital programs potentially at risk if federal funds are not released.
Democratic attorneys general from various states are actively challenging the administration's executive actions, reflecting broader concerns about its adherence to legal and constitutional norms.