A federal judge has ordered Trump administration officials to lift a freeze on nearly all foreign aid, though he stopped short of holding them in contempt.
U.S. District Judge Amir Ali issued the order after the administration admitted in court filings that it was keeping U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and State Department contracts suspended despite a previous restraining order mandating payments be restored. Officials argued they were reviewing contracts individually and complying with the order.
Ali rejected this claim, stating his order did not allow officials to justify the mass suspension while reviewing legal authorities.
Two non-profits among the plaintiffs sued over the aid freeze and urged the judge to hold officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in contempt for “brazen defiance.” Ali declined, citing the administration’s acknowledgment of the need for “prompt compliance.”
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
President Donald Trump had imposed a 90-day pause on foreign aid on his first day in office. His administration then aggressively moved to dismantle USAID, placing much of its staff on leave, halting most funding, and disrupting global humanitarian relief efforts. This put critical food and medical aid at risk.
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