Trump loses latest legal round over billions in foreign aid

Trump loses latest legal round over billions in foreign aid

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has delivered a significant legal setback to the Trump administration's efforts to cut billions in foreign aid. U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ruled that the administration cannot unilaterally withhold or delay the spending of approximately $12 billion in foreign assistance funds approved by Congress [1][2][3].

The ruling came after a series of legal battles centered on the Trump administration's attempts to wield expansive authority in areas such as foreign assistance. The White House has sought to slash billions of dollars in foreign aid, with the latest effort involving a mechanism known as "pocket rescission," which would allow funds to go unspent if Congress does not act [1].

Judge Ali's decision is the latest development in this ongoing legal battle. The judge ruled that the administration's refusal to spend the aid likely violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which governs how federal agencies make decisions. The administration had argued that it needed clarity from the courts about its obligations before September deadlines for notifying Congress and negotiating agreements with foreign governments [3].

The ruling follows months of litigation over whether the White House can delay or block spending approved under the 2024 appropriations law. The immediate fight involves about $12 billion set to lapse at the end of the current fiscal year if not obligated [3].

The decision has far-reaching implications. It sets a precedent for how future administrations may handle contested spending and underscores the balance of power between Congress and the presidency. The ruling also carries immediate consequences for billions in U.S. foreign aid, relied on by nonprofits and global health programs, potentially affecting American influence abroad and the survival of organizations that depend on federal funding [3].

The Department of Justice is expected to appeal the ruling and could ask the Supreme Court to intervene if it continues to lose in lower courts. The administration has argued that it requires clarity on its obligations before September deadlines for notifying Congress and negotiating agreements with foreign governments [3].

References:
[1] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/4/judge-blocks-trumps-bid-to-cut-4bn-in-us-foreign-aid
[2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-9-04/trump-foreign-aid-block-stopped-again-as-billions-set-to-expire
[3] https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-suffers-major-legal-blow-over-billions-foreign-aid-cuts-2124522