A US federal judge has issued a strict deadline for the administration of President Donald Trump to release billions of dollars in frozen foreign aid, ruling that the White House must comply with court orders to unfreeze funds that had been allocated but withheld. The decision comes after NGOs and government contractors sued the administration, claiming that the aid freeze was illegal and had caused severe disruptions to their operations.

Trump initiated a sweeping freeze on most US foreign aid funding on his first day in office, directing a review of all assistance to ensure compliance with his “America First” policies. The administration justified the move as part of a broader effort to eliminate what it deemed wasteful government spending, arguing that American taxpayer dollars should be used more efficiently. However, the policy quickly became a source of contention, especially for organizations that relied on foreign aid grants and government contracts to conduct humanitarian work, development projects, and political initiatives abroad.

District Judge Amir H. Ali issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on February 13, instructing the Trump administration to release the funds. However, government attorneys claimed that the administration was complying with the TRO in a manner that still allowed them to cancel or suspend contracts while reviewing them for compliance. Frustrated with what he saw as deliberate noncompliance, Judge Ali escalated the matter in a telephone hearing on February 25, ultimately ruling that the administration must distribute the frozen aid by 11:59 p.m. on February 26.

The lawsuit against the Trump administration was filed by multiple NGOs and companies holding government contracts, which argued that the aid freeze had placed them in a dire financial situation. Plaintiffs........

© Blitz