U.S. Supreme Court Orders Trump Administration to Release Frozen Foreign Aid of close to $2bn to Nigeria and others

In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the Trump administration must release withheld payments to foreign aid organizations for work already completed.

The ruling upholds an order by U.S. District Judge Amir Ali, who directed the administration to promptly disburse nearly $2 billion in funding owed to contractors and grant recipients of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department. Conservative Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented.

Chief Justice John Roberts had temporarily paused Ali’s order before the February 26 deadline, allowing the court time to review the administration’s request to block the ruling. However, the Supreme Court ultimately declined to intervene and instructed Ali to clarify the government’s obligations to comply with the restraining order.

Trump, following his “America First” agenda, imposed a 90-day freeze on all foreign aid upon returning to office on January 20. This decision halted USAID operations globally, disrupting the delivery of critical food and medical assistance. Aid organizations have since sued, arguing that Trump overstepped his authority by effectively dismantling a federal agency and overriding congressional spending approvals.

Ali, who has extended the restraining order through March 10, is set to hold a hearing on Thursday regarding a request for a preliminary injunction.