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Supreme Court rejects Trump bid to withhold $2bn in foreign aid Supreme Court rejects Trump bid to withhold $2bn in foreign aid
(32 minutes later)
Since coming to power in January, Trump has taken quick action to end many aid programmesSince coming to power in January, Trump has taken quick action to end many aid programmes
The US Supreme Court has rejected a request by the Trump administration to withhold nearly $2bn-worth of payments (£1.6bn) to foreign aid organisations for work they have already performed for the government. The US Supreme Court has rejected a request by the Trump administration to withhold nearly $2bn (£1.6bn) in payments to foreign aid organisations for work they have already performed for the government.
The top court on Wednesday endorsed a lower court ruling asking the administration to unfreeze the fund for contractors and recipients of grants from the US Agency for International Development and the State Department. On Wednesday, the top court upheld a lower court ruling ordering the administration to release the funds to contractors and grant recipients of the US Agency for International Development and the State Department.
President Donald Trump has ended many aid programmes since coming to power, and placed most of USAID staff on administrative leave or sacked them. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has cut numerous aid programmes and placed most USAID staff on leave or dismissed them.
The aid agencies say that order has jeopardised life-saving operations around the world . Aid agencies argue these actions have jeopardised life-saving operations worldwide.
Last month District Judge Amir Ali had ordered the State Department and USAID to pay the bills to contractors for the work already done by midnight on 26 February.Last month District Judge Amir Ali had ordered the State Department and USAID to pay the bills to contractors for the work already done by midnight on 26 February.
As the deadline approached, the Trump administration sought an emergency relief from the Supreme Court, arguing it was impossible to process claims in an orderly fashion in such a short period of time.As the deadline approached, the Trump administration sought an emergency relief from the Supreme Court, arguing it was impossible to process claims in an orderly fashion in such a short period of time.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a brief administrative stay, before the full court acted on President Trump's request.Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a brief administrative stay, before the full court acted on President Trump's request.
On Wednesday, the top court in a narrow 5-4 decision declined to halt the lower court order that required the Trump administration to unfreeze the payment. On Wednesday, the top court in a narrow 5-4 decision declined to halt the lower court order that required the Trump administration to release the payment.
What is USAID and why is Trump poised to 'close it down'?
Most USAID staff laid off or placed on leave by Trump administration
The court said that Judge Ali's deadline for the immediate payment had now passed, and the district court should "clarify what obligations" the administration must fulfil to comply the order.The court said that Judge Ali's deadline for the immediate payment had now passed, and the district court should "clarify what obligations" the administration must fulfil to comply the order.
Conservative Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh dissented with the order.Conservative Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh dissented with the order.
"Does a single district-court judge who likely lacks jurisdiction have the unchecked power to compel the government of the United States to pay out (and probably lose forever) 2 billion taxpayer dollars?" Justice Alito wrote in a dissent joined by the three other conservative justices. "The answer to that question should be an emphatic 'No,' but a majority of this Court apparently thinks otherwise. I am stunned.""Does a single district-court judge who likely lacks jurisdiction have the unchecked power to compel the government of the United States to pay out (and probably lose forever) 2 billion taxpayer dollars?" Justice Alito wrote in a dissent joined by the three other conservative justices. "The answer to that question should be an emphatic 'No,' but a majority of this Court apparently thinks otherwise. I am stunned."
The case was launched by two aid groups who went to court to challenge funding cuts at the USAID. The case began when two aid groups challenged Trump's 90-day freeze on foreign assistance. Judge Ali initially paused the cuts while reviewing the case, later ordering payment for completed work after the government failed to comply.
Federal Judge Amir Ali in the District of Columbia then issued a temporary pause on the cuts while he examined the arguments in the case. Legal proceedings continue, with a district court hearing set for Thursday on contractors' requests for extended relief.
The aid groups later argued that the government had failed to comply with the pause, forcing the federal judge to issue another order requiring them to at least pay for work that has already been completed. The Trump administration, led by billionaire Elon Musk's cost-cutting initiative, aims to shrink the federal workforce.
The Trump administration is seeking to shrink the federal workforce and cut costs in a drive led by Elon Musk. USAID cutbacks have already disrupted global aid efforts, freezing hundreds of programmes in dozens of countries.
The cutbacks to USAID have already upended the global aid system. The US, by far the world's largest humanitarian aid provider, operates in over 60 countries, largely through contractors.
Hundreds of programmes have been frozen in countries around the world since the president announced his intentions in January.
The US is by far the biggest single provider of humanitarian aid around the world.
It has bases in more than 60 countries and works in dozens of others, with much of its work carried out by its contractors.