Urgent Ruling: US Judge Demands Trump Administration to Distribute $2B in Foreign Aid by Monday

A U.S. judge has ordered the Trump administration to pay part of the nearly $2 billion owed in foreign aid by 6 p.m. on Monday. This ruling came swiftly after the Supreme Court declined the administration’s request to continue its freeze on these funds.

During a court hearing, U.S. District Judge Amir Ali questioned both sides about when the payments could be made. He emphasized that payments for work completed before February 13 should be processed by the upcoming deadline.

Judge Ali said, “I think it’s reasonable to get the plaintiffs’ invoices paid by 6 p.m. on Monday.” He pointed out that the previous deadline set for February 26 was missed and that the government must clarify its obligations. He takes this responsibility seriously.

The Justice Department argued that meeting the Monday deadline might be “impossible.” However, Judge Ali noted that the government managed to pay out over $70 million from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning, suggesting that timely payments are indeed feasible.

There has been ongoing tension between the Trump administration and various foreign aid contractors. Lawyers for the plaintiffs accused the administration of rushing through a review of contracts, suggesting that the aim was to cut as much funding as possible. They raised concerns about whether it’s legal for the administration to cancel projects that Congress has already approved for funding.

The Supreme Court’s recent 5-4 decision returned the case to Judge Ali, directing him to resolve the specifics of the payments due. The urgency of this inquiry highlights broader challenges regarding foreign aid management under the current administration. President Trump has proposed drastically reducing foreign aid, further complicating the situation.

As the deadlines loom, both plaintiffs and the administration prepare for the next steps in this unfolding legal battle. Key issues remain about the administration’s commitment to fulfilling its financial responsibilities to aid organizations reliant on these funds.

Source link