A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration’s 90-day foreign aid freeze, delivering a legal setback to one of Donald Trump’s most ambitious executive actions since returning to office.
The ruling, handed down late Thursday by U.S. District Judge Amir Ali, found that the aid freeze would have “a catastrophic effect” on humanitarian missions carried out by nonprofit organizations and international aid groups.
Legal Challenge Against the Aid Freeze
The lawsuit was filed by multiple aid groups—including those working with the State Department and USAID—challenging Trump’s Jan. 20 executive order that placed an immediate hold on congressionally approved foreign aid.
Judge Ali, an appointee of President Joe Biden, sided with the plaintiffs, blocking the administration from:
- Cutting off federal foreign aid funding
- Canceling contracts for ongoing aid programs
However, Ali did not issue a broader injunction that would prevent the Trump administration from reviewing foreign aid programs, recognizing the president’s authority to conduct internal audits of government spending.
Judge Ali’s Ruling: A Sharp Rebuke of the Freeze
In his ruling, Ali criticized the lack of justification for the sudden and sweeping freeze, stating that the administration had not provided a valid explanation for why it was necessary to immediately halt all aid programs.
“There has been no explanation offered in the record… as to why reviewing programs—many long-standing and taking place pursuant to contractual terms—required an immediate and wholesale suspension of appropriated foreign aid.”
Ali further noted that the abrupt decision sent shockwaves through the humanitarian sector, disrupting thousands of contracts and partnerships between aid organizations and governments worldwide.
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What Happens Next?
While the restraining order temporarily protects aid contracts, the legal battle is far from over. The Trump administration is expected to appeal the ruling, arguing that the foreign aid review is necessary to prevent wasteful spending and prioritize national interests.
For now, humanitarian groups and nonprofit organizations can continue providing aid, but uncertainty remains over the future of U.S. foreign assistance programs under Trump’s administration.
