U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ruled that the Trump administration must restore federal dollars for foreign aid contracts and awards while legal challenges are being resolved. The decision was made in response to a temporary restraining order requested by several organizations that depend on funding from USAID and related agencies—a directive that had put many programs on hold or forced them to suspend activities due to the administration’s recent pause on foreign development aid.
The nonprofit organizations contended that the executive order from President Trump, along with a subsequent memorandum from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, unlawfully halted new funding obligations for foreign assistance programs and issued stop-work orders. They emphasized that this blanket suspension had jeopardized numerous contracts and disrupted the operations of businesses and aid organizations, potentially leaving vulnerable populations without vital support such as food, healthcare, and other critical services.
Judge Ali’s ruling prevents top Trump administration officials from enforcing the 90-day pause on foreign assistance funded by USAID and the State Department without proper authorization. In his opinion, while acknowledging that the request for relief was broad, he noted that the nonprofits had demonstrated a strong likelihood of irreparable harm and were likely to succeed on the merits of their claims.
The decision comes amid a broader context of Trump administration efforts to restructure USAID—the agency central to U.S. foreign aid—leading to halted contracts, furloughed employees, and widespread uncertainty among businesses, nonprofits, and international partners. With over 230 USAID grants and contracts halted or subjected to stop-work orders since the directive was issued, critics argue that the administration’s actions have already caused significant disruption in the global distribution of American aid.
Meanwhile, the administration defends its decision by arguing that reexamining the funding aligns with its foreign policy aims and ensures that the projects receiving aid are truly consistent with national priorities. However, the economic and humanitarian fallout of this action, including shutdowns of small businesses and delays in aid deliveries, has intensified the debate over the proper use of congressionally appropriated funds at a time when aid is critically needed around the world.