Supreme Court Hands Victory To Leftist NGOs, Orders Trump Administration To Resume USAID Payments

The Supreme Court has ruled that nearly $2 billion in USAID payments must be made immediately, dealing a blow to the Trump administration’s effort to freeze foreign aid. The 5-4 ruling ensures that taxpayer dollars continue flowing to media organizations and activist groups that have been accused of pushing leftist agendas.

Justice Samuel Alito strongly dissented, warning that the decision empowers activist judges to interfere with executive branch decisions. He specifically called out U.S. District Judge Amir Ali, arguing that his order to force immediate payments was an example of judicial overreach.

The Trump administration had halted all USAID payments as part of an effort to curb unnecessary foreign aid spending. White House officials argued that these funds had been directed toward organizations that use U.S. taxpayer money to influence political and social movements.

Chief Justice John Roberts had temporarily paused Ali’s ruling to allow time for review, but the court’s majority ultimately declined to intervene further, sending the case back to Ali. This move grants the lower court judge complete authority over when and how the payments must be made.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh joined Alito in opposing the ruling, arguing that the Supreme Court had failed to defend the president’s authority over government spending.

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Ali quickly scheduled a hearing to enforce the payment order, leaving the Trump administration with little room to push back.