The decision upholds a lower court ruling requiring payments for completed contracts with the US Agency for International Development and the State Department|USAID Central Asia|CC BY-ND 2.0
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 against President Donald Trump’s attempt to freeze $2 billion in foreign aid granted by Congress.
The decision upholds a lower court ruling requiring payments for completed contracts with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department.
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court’s three liberals in the ruling.
Writing for the dissenting conservatives, Justice Samuel Alito criticized the decision, questioning whether a single judge should control government spending.
Trump imposed the aid freeze on January 20, disrupting thousands of programs worldwide. Critics argue it delays life-saving medical supplies and food deliveries.
The case stems from Trump’s broader efforts, supported by adviser Elon Musk, to cut US government spending, especially on USAID. Trump has called the agency radical, while Musk labeled it a criminal organization.