A federal judge has ordered US President Donald Trump’s administration to restore funds for hundreds of foreign aid contractors who argued they were adversely affected by a 90-day blanket freeze, a court filing showed late on Thursday.
The order temporarily prevents the Trump administration from canceling foreign aid contracts and awards that were in effect before he took office on January 20.
It is the first such ruling to reverse Trump’s foreign aid freeze. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by two health organizations that receive U.S. funding for foreign programs.
The Trump administration has embarked on a massive overhaul, attempting to dismantle government agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development, as his billionaire ally, Elon Musk, is tasked with cutting spending.
The stated purpose of suspending all foreign aid was to allow for a review of the programs’ effectiveness and consistency with priorities, U.S. District Judge Amir Ali wrote in a filing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
“At least to this day, defendants have offered no explanation as to why a complete suspension of all foreign assistance, which was appropriated by Congress and sent shockwaves through thousands of contracts with businesses, nonprofits, and organizations across the country and increased subsistence needs, was a logical precursor to reviewing the programs,” he added.
