Trump moves to block foreign aid via Supreme Court

The US Supreme Court will once again review a lawsuit from President Donald Trump’s administration seeking to freeze billions of dollars in international health programs. Trump’s team is challenging lower-court rulings that ordered the continuation of foreign aid payments.

The Justice Department has filed an emergency motion urging the justices to intervene quickly and halt funding, including for global health projects and HIV/AIDS programs.

According to the administration, around $12 billion is at stake and must be spent by September 30 if current court rulings remain in force. The White House argues that a March ruling ordering the resumption of aid unlawfully interfered with negotiations between the president and Congress on cutting federal spending.

Political context

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court rejected a similar lawsuit from the administration in a narrow 5-4 vote. Since then, the court has repeatedly sided with the Republican administration in several high-profile cases, raising the White House’s hopes for a different outcome this time.

Trump has repeatedly called foreign aid "wasteful spending" that does not align with his foreign policy priorities.

Legal battles and opposition

This month, an appeals court in Washington allowed the administration to temporarily suspend some payments but refused to permit an immediate full freeze.

Several NGOs that filed lawsuits argue the block violates federal law and cripples vital assistance programs abroad. Lawyer Lauren Bateman noted that more than five months have passed since the initial ruling and urged the Supreme Court "to see that the government is stalling to avoid fulfilling its obligations."

The Supreme Court’s upcoming decision will determine whether the Trump administration can keep billions in foreign aid frozen or be forced to resume funding for programs critics say are essential to millions worldwide.