The Trump administration is in a legal battle as it challenges a judge’s order demanding nearly $2 billion in unpaid invoices from foreign-aid contractors within hours. Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris urgently petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the deadline set by U.S. District Judge Amir Ali in response to lawsuits from aid groups affected by the funding halt.
Background of the Dispute
Judge Ali, appointed by former President Joe Biden, issued the order after finding the Trump administration non-compliant with a prior court directive to resume payments to foreign aid groups. Rather than unfreeze the aid as instructed on Feb. 13, the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development sought new legal justifications to maintain the freeze, according to the judge.
Consequently, Judge Ali mandated the administration to make payments for around $2 billion of completed work by aid contractors before 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday.
Impact on Aid Groups
The sudden funding cutoff due to President Trump’s executive order on foreign assistance has severely impacted various organizations, leading to closures, layoffs, and the termination of vital humanitarian efforts globally. Aid groups argue that the administration’s actions to terminate contracts and halt aid distribution have escalated following Judge Ali’s order to lift the spending freeze.
It remains to be seen how the Supreme Court will rule on this contentious issue that has significant implications for foreign-aid policies and the operations of aid organizations.
