Background of the Case

The Supreme Court recently addressed a request from the Trump administration to suspend a federal court order requiring nearly $2 billion in foreign-aid reimbursements. The ruling came amidst a legal tussle initiated by the administration, which aimed to halt payments made by the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for previously completed work.

Supreme Court’s Decision

In a brief, unsigned opinion, the Court pointed out that the deadline for payment, set for February 26, had already elapsed. Consequently, the Supreme Court directed U.S. District Judge Amir Ali to clarify the government’s obligations under the temporary restraining order, while considering the practicality of compliance.

Judge Ali is scheduled to hear arguments on March 6 regarding the aid groups’ request for a preliminary injunction that could determine the future of foreign-assistance funding.

Split Decision Among Justices

Four conservative justices—Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh—dissented, expressing their disappointment with the Court’s refusal to grant the government’s request. Justice Alito called the ruling a “most unfortunate misstep” and criticized it for imposing a financial burden on taxpayers.

Context of the Foreign-Aid Freeze

In late February, President Trump issued an executive order to suspend foreign-aid distributions pending compliance with his administration’s foreign policy goals. Subsequently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio enforced a freeze on all State Department and USAID foreign-aid initiatives.

Multiple foreign-aid recipients filed a lawsuit challenging this funding freeze, arguing it contravened federal law and constitutional provisions.

Government’s Appeal and Future Proceedings

The government, represented by Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris, urged the Supreme Court to intervene swiftly regarding Ali’s order to ensure the payments could proceed. Harris asserted that the ruling infringed upon the executive branch’s authority over foreign aid distribution.

Following an emergency request, Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily paused the implementation of Ali’s order just hours before the payment deadline. Foreign-aid recipients thereafter petitioned the Court to expedite the lifting of this order, emphasizing the critical humanitarian work they perform globally.

Implications of the Ruling

In its one-paragraph order, the Supreme Court clarified that the government’s request did not challenge its obligation to comply with the temporary restraining order previously issued by Judge Ali. Justice Alito’s dissent highlighted the need for judicial restraint and indicated that alternatives exist to address perceived inaction by the government, without resorting to punitive measures.