Chicago – March 05, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Wednesday against former President Donald Trump’s attempt to withhold payments from foreign aid groups for work they had already done. The decision forces the government to release nearly $2 billion in aid funds.
The ruling upholds an earlier order by U.S. District Judge Amir Ali, who told the Trump administration to pay contractors and organizations funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court’s three liberal justices in the majority, while four conservative justices dissented.
Trump had tried to stop funding for many humanitarian projects. Ali originally gave the government until February 26 to make payments, but Roberts briefly paused the order to allow more review. Now, the Supreme Court has sent the case back to Ali, asking him to clarify what steps the government must take to comply.
Ali will hold a hearing on Thursday as the case continues. His temporary restraining order, which stops the government from withholding payments, remains in place until March 10. The ruling is a setback for Trump’s efforts to cut international aid programs.
