US Court rejects Trump’s attempt to block foreign aid!
Washington, Mar 5 (EFE). –
The United States Supreme Court rejected on Wednesday President Domald Trump’s administration attempt to block a federal judge who imposed a quick deadline to release billions of dollars in foreign aid.
The majority noted that since a court-ordered deadline to spend the money had passed last week, the lower courts should “clarify what obligations the government must fulfill to ensure compliance with the temporary restraining order.”
The ruling is a setback for Trump administration, which has taken steps to curtail US humanitarian projects, going so far as to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development.
The Supreme Court, with a conservative majority, voted 5-4 to uphold the decision of US Columbia District Court Judge Amir Ali, who ordered the administration to release funds to organizations that had benefited from USAID or State Department grants.
Ali’s order gave the administration until Feb. 26 to release the funds.
Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily stayed the order hours before the deadline to give the high court more time to consider the administration’s formal request to block Ali’s ruling.
The case is not over, as the Supreme Court asked Ali to clarify the obligations the Trump administration must fulfill.
Ali will decide the next steps at a court hearing on Thursday.
Trump, who came to the White House promising to put “America first” ordered a 90-day suspension of all foreign aid on his first day in office.
Many humanitarian organizations believe Trump is overstepping his constitutional authority since it is Congress’s responsibility to decide on funding.
EFE bpm/mcd
