A judge has ordered the Trump administration to temporarily lift the funding freeze that shut down U.S. aid and development programs abroad.
Judge Amir Ali issued the order on Thursday in a lawsuit brought by companies that receive U.S. funding for the programs. Trump froze almost all foreign aid in late January, a decision that has devastated foreign aid contractors and recipients.
Ali said in the order that the Trump administration did not take into account the “extraordinary harm” caused by suddenly freezing foreign aid, and that it would have a “catastrophic effect on humanitarian missions.”
The judge also hit out at the administration’s lack of explanation “for why a blanket suspension of all congressionally appropriated foreign aid” was imposed.
The ruling was the first to temporarily roll back a Trump administration funding freeze on foreign assistance that had forced USAID and State Department contractors around the world to stop providing humanitarian aid and other assistance and lay off staff, paralyzing much of the world's relief delivery networks.
The order allowing funds to flow again applies to existing contracts before Trump issued his January 20 executive order declaring a freeze on foreign assistance.
Trump called much of U.S. aid out of line with his agenda.
Earlier Thursday, a judge in a separate case over the Trump administration's dismantling of USAID and U.S. aid programs abroad said that his order halting the Trump administration's plans to pull all but a fraction of USAID staffers off the job worldwide will stay in place for at least another week.
Despite Trump’s swift crackdown on foreign aid, the American people do not approve of the freeze on USAID, according to a poll of 1,946 Americans by Prolific.
Half (49 percent) of all respondents said they did not approve of immediately stopping all U.S. aid to foreign countries, while a third supported the action, and 17 percent were unsure.
More broadly, the majority of respondents (51 percent) believe that the U.S. should continue to provide aid abroad, while just 25 percent disagreed, according to the exclusive poll carried out on February 3.
9 Comments
Rolihlahla
This is a victory for democracy. It's a reminder that the people still have a voice in how our government is run.
G P Floyd Jr
This is a victory for justice. It's a reminder that no one is above the law, not even the President.
Martin L King
This is a victory for compassion. It's a reminder that we are all connected, and that we have a responsibility to help those in need.
G P Floyd Jr
I'm glad that the judge saw through Trump's lies about foreign aid. These programs are not a waste of money, they are an investment in a better future for all of us.
Karamba
This is a proud moment for America. We are a country that stands up for what's right, even when it's difficult.
Habibi
Another example of activist judges overstepping their bounds. This is executive overreach, plain and simple.
Raphael
This is a good day for America. It's a reminder that we are a country that cares about helping others.
Donatello
This is a dangerous ruling. It's giving judges too much power. We need to elect judges who will uphold the Constitution, not create their own laws.
Leonardo
This ruling is a slap in the face to all the Americans who are struggling to make ends meet. We can't afford to be sending money overseas when we have so many problems here at home.