Supreme Court keeps US foreign aid frozen

Photo of Sarah Penney in Unsplash

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday suspended a court order requiring the Trump administration to release $4 billion in foreign aid.

The decision, made through an emergency order signed by Chief Justice John Roberts, puts on hold a federal judge's ruling that had required the White House to immediately implement the measures already approved by Congress.

A respite for the Government

With this measure, the Trump administration regains room for maneuver in the dispute over public spending control and keeps the funds frozen while the case remains under review. The executive branch argued that transferring this money abroad would constitute an "impediment" to the foreign policy it seeks to implement.

Deadlines and arguments

The Supreme Court asked the plaintiffs—including groups and organizations affected by the cuts—to present their arguments on the need to use the funds by Friday. Until then, the freeze on the funds remains provisional.

Political and budgetary context

Since returning to power in January, Trump has pushed through drastic cuts in foreign aid and weakened parts of the structure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Current federal funding expires on September 30, and the White House insists it is not blocking "all international assistance," assuring it will disburse an additional $6.5 billion previously authorized by Congress.

Relevance to the Supreme Court's decision

The Supreme Court's ruling not only delays the arrival of funds for international programs, but also reignites the debate over presidential power in managing the budget approved by the Legislature, a standoff that could intensify in the coming weeks as the fiscal year draws to a close.

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Sources:

• EFE