Supreme Court Orders Trump Administration to Release $2 Billion in Foreign Aid
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 against Trump's foreign aid freeze, indicating further scrutiny on executive spending powers.
Yet the high court’s move is a constitutional caution that speeding ahead on spending cuts absent the okay of Congress could be its own form of hubris.
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The broader takeaway, though, is that this is now the second ruling (the first was Dellinger) in which the Court has, in the same ruling, moved gingerly but at the same time denied the relief that the Trump administration was seeking.
The Supreme Court Foreign-Aid Ruling Is a Bad Sign for Trump
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The court currently has a 6-3 conservative supermajority, but both Barrett and Roberts have at times broken ranks and voted with the court's liberal wing in rulings that have infuriated the MAGA base.
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However, the Court's majority opinion held that Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress the explicit power of the purse, necessitated the disbursement of the frozen USAID funds.
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The case will now go back to U.S. District Judge Amir Ali with a mandate for him to clarify what the government must do to comply with his earlier order.
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This decision caused chaos and aid groups have said that critical delivery of life-saving medication and food for populations and communities around the world had been halted.
Supreme court rejects Trump request to continue freezing $2bn in foreign aid
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But in acting so abruptly, the government left contractors out of pocket for work already completed, the contractors alleged.
Supreme Court rejects Trump administration's bid to avoid paying USAID contractors
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The Supreme Court’s ruling requires the district court to clarify exactly which funds the Trump administration must pay out and ensure its timelines are feasible.
Supreme Court requires Trump admin to pay $2B in frozen foreign aid
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Although the outcome is a short-term loss for President Donald Trump’s administration, the nonprofit groups and businesses that sued are still waiting for the money they say they are owed.
Supreme Court Says Trump Admin. Must Pay $2 Billion in USAID Funds
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There seems to be, whatever anybody's politics, a statement that the legislative branch of the United States of America is missing in action.
Supreme Court Rejects Trump on USAID Foreign-Aid Freeze
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Divided Supreme Court reinstates order requiring Trump administration to release frozen foreign aid
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Summary
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court's order mandating the Trump administration to release $2 billion in foreign aid, dismissing the administration's emergency appeal. This decision stems from U.S. District Judge Amir Ali's prior enforcement order linked to his temporary restraining order, which remains in effect. The court has prompted Judge Ali to clarify the government's compliance obligations with the ruling, suggesting a looming obligation for the administration to disburse the funds. Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Barrett joined the liberal justices, inviting backlash from Trump's supporters who fear judicial overreach.
Perspectives
The Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling reinstated a lower court's order for the Trump administration to release nearly $2 billion in foreign aid, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding executive power and legislative authority in funding.
Justice Alito and other dissenting justices expressed concerns about the implications of the ruling, fearing it sets a precedent that could undermine the government's control over taxpayer funds; Alito's argument focused on the potential for a district court judge to overstep authority by mandating such expenditures.
This ruling underscores the urgency of the situation for various nonprofits and businesses that rely on these funds for essential operations, with some already having laid off employees due to the funding freeze.
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