A federal judge has mandated that officials from the Trump administration comply with a previous order to temporarily restore nearly all foreign aid. This decision aims to reinstate funding to programs worldwide.
The order was issued by Judge Amir H. Ali, an appointee of President Biden. Judge Ali noted that Trump administration officials had misused his February 13 directive, which was intended to temporarily lift the freeze on foreign aid, by creating a new justification for the widespread suspension of funds.
Despite this order, USAID Deputy Secretary Pete Marocco, appointed by Trump, and other senior officials continued their general suspension of funds, according to Judge Ali.
The ruling is part of a lawsuit filed by nonprofit organizations against the Trump administration's decision to halt foreign assistance through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department. This abrupt cessation affected $60 billion in annual aid and development initiatives overseas.
Even after Judge Ali's order, USAID staff and contractors report that the State Department and USAID have not resumed payments, including hundreds of millions already owed by the government.
Marocco and other officials argued in written submissions to the court that they could lawfully cease or terminate payments under numerous contracts without violating the judge's order. The Trump administration claims it is reviewing all foreign assistance programs on a case-by-case basis to align with its agenda.
The freeze on funding has reportedly halted U.S. foreign assistance globally, prompting mass layoffs and pushing government partners towards financial collapse. Current and former USAID staff, along with aid organizations, have expressed their concerns in interviews and court affidavits.
These actions are part of a broader initiative led by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk at the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk describes this effort as a mission to reduce government spending and streamline the federal workforce.
DOGE claims to have saved approximately $55 billion by cutting budgets from USAID, the Department of Education, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. However, many of these cost-cutting measures have faced legal challenges.
