On February 25, a significant legal decision was made when a federal judge in Washington mandated the Trump administration to disburse foreign aid funds to contractors and grant recipients. The order required compliance by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday night. This directive was issued because there was no indication that any measures had been taken to adhere to the judge's prior order to unfreeze the funds.
U.S. District Judge Amir Ali's order arose during a telephone hearing concerning a lawsuit initiated by organizations that collaborate with and receive aid from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department. The ruling pertains to work conducted before February 13, the date when the judge initially issued a temporary restraining order.
This recent order marks the third time Judge Ali has instructed the administration to release foreign aid funds. These funds had been frozen following President Donald Trump's directive to impose a 90-day halt on all foreign aid. This action significantly disrupted global humanitarian relief efforts, causing widespread concern among aid organizations.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit have expressed that they will need to cease operations entirely if the funds are not paid promptly. They argue that the administration's refusal to release the funds violates federal law and the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, they accuse the administration of dismantling USAID, further exacerbating the crisis.
In a related development, the foreign aid agency announced on Sunday that all staff, except for certain essential workers, would be placed on paid administrative leave. Moreover, 1,600 positions within the United States are slated to be eliminated, adding to the ongoing challenges faced by the agency and its partners.
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Reported by Brendan Pierson in New York, with editing by Franklin Paul and Deepa Babington.
