Trump fights to keep $2b in aid frozen as supreme court intervenes to delay court-ordered payment

The Supreme Court has temporarily halted a federal court order requiring the Trump administration to release $2 billion in foreign aid, granting the White House a brief reprieve as it battles to keep the funds frozen. Chief Justice John Roberts issued an emergency stay late Wednesday, pausing the midnight deadline imposed by a lower court. The move buys time for the administration, which has argued that it is unable to process the payments on such short notice.

The dispute centres on Trump’s sweeping budget cuts, particularly his decision to freeze billions in foreign aid through the State Department and USAID. The administration claims this move aligns spending with its policy priorities, but critics argue it undermines crucial international commitments. US District Judge Amir Ali ruled against the freeze and ordered immediate payment, citing the government’s failure to justify its actions. When the administration did not comply, Ali set a strict deadline: release the aid by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday.

With just hours to spare, the Trump administration appealed to the Supreme Court, calling the lower court’s deadline “impossible” and insisting it needed weeks to process the payments. Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris argued that the government was making “substantial efforts” to review and approve aid disbursements but could not meet Ali’s demand. Roberts granted a temporary pause and ordered the plaintiffs to respond by Friday, setting up a legal showdown over the next steps.

The ruling does not resolve the broader question of whether Trump has the authority to block congressionally approved foreign aid. Instead, it allows the administration more time to argue its case while delaying enforcement of the order. The Supreme Court now faces a critical decision on whether to ultimately back Trump’s aggressive executive actions or uphold the lower court’s ruling.

This is the second time Trump has rushed an emergency appeal to the high court since returning to office. Another pending case involves his controversial move to fire the leadership of the Office of Special Counsel, further underscoring his efforts to consolidate executive power. Meanwhile, his administration has faced growing criticism for its defiance of judicial rulings. Some allies have even suggested ignoring court orders outright or pursuing impeachment proceedings against judges who rule against them.

The government’s legal arguments may face a major hurdle. The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit recently ruled that Ali’s enforcement order was not appealable, stating, “Appellants cite no case that has held that such a later issued supporting order is appealable.” This could complicate the administration’s attempt to overturn the ruling at the Supreme Court level.

Legal experts note that Roberts’ intervention does not necessarily indicate support for Trump’s position. The administrative stay is a temporary measure that allows justices time to determine the next steps. Steve Vladeck, a Supreme Court analyst and Georgetown University law professor, said the decision was “really just a play for time—perhaps as little as two days—to give the justices time to sort out whether or not they should pause Judge Ali’s ruling or force the government to turn the challenged foreign aid funding back on.”

The battle over Trump’s foreign aid freeze now hinges on the Supreme Court’s next move. With billions of dollars at stake, the ruling could have far-reaching implications for executive power and the government’s ability to withhold congressionally approved funds. If the court ultimately sides with the administration, it could reinforce Trump’s authority to unilaterally dictate foreign aid policies. If it rules against him, the White House may be forced to comply with court orders and release the frozen funds.

As legal arguments continue, the fate of $2 billion in international assistance remains uncertain. The Supreme Court’s decision in the coming days will determine whether the aid reaches its intended recipients or remains entangled in a prolonged political and legal standoff.