A federal judge has issued a temporary order mandating the Trump administration to lift its freeze on U.S. humanitarian aid and development funding worldwide. The lawsuit, spearheaded by the Aids Vaccine Advocacy Coalition and the Global Health Council, represents health organizations that rely on U.S. funds to conduct vital work abroad. The judge has set a deadline for Tuesday for the administration to demonstrate compliance with this order.
This unprecedented ruling comes as contractors, farmers, and suppliers in the U.S. and globally allege that the funding halt has deprived them of hundreds of millions in payments for completed projects. These financial constraints have forced organizations to lay off employees and pushed many to the brink of financial ruin. USAID staffers stationed in Congo have described being left unsupported amidst escalating political violence and looting, further illustrating the dire consequences of the funding freeze.
The judge dismissed the Trump administration's defense that it was mitigating the freeze's impact through waivers for select aid partners. This decision marks the first legal challenge against the Republican administration's suspension of foreign aid funding. The administration argued that the freeze was necessary to comprehensively review each aid program's relevance, a claim questioned during the court proceedings.
"have not offered any explanation for why a blanket suspension of all congressionally appropriated foreign aid, which set off a shockwave and upended"
— Judge Amir H Ali
The judge also emphasized that the administration failed to provide a detailed plan for how they intend to proceed with these reviews. The financial devastation caused by the funding freeze extends to both U.S.-based suppliers and international non-profits responsible for executing much of America's foreign aid.
In a related ruling, a separate court blocked another Trump administration order, which aimed to drastically reduce USAID staff across the globe. This ruling temporarily prevents further disruption of foreign aid operations. Additionally, the judge barred Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other Trump officials from enforcing stop-work orders that have been dispatched to entities involved in foreign aid projects.
Judge Amir H Ali raised concerns about how the government plans to ensure the safety of aid workers abroad, especially in light of USAID's dismantling. This ongoing dismantling has led to a surge in lawsuits from government employees' groups, aid organizations, and suppliers reliant on U.S. foreign assistance.
"was a rational precursor to reviewing programs"
— Judge Amir H Ali
The Trump administration's actions have prompted a wave of legal challenges, highlighting growing tensions between government policy and humanitarian needs. The court's decision underscores the urgent need for clarity and resolution as affected organizations worldwide grapple with uncertainty.