Supreme Court overrules Donald Trump: two billion in foreign aid unblocked

Split (5-4) Supreme Court ruling against Trump’s order to freeze USAID funds. Crucial vote by Roberts and Barrett

The US Supreme Court dealt a blow to Donald Trump’s administration, rejecting his executive order freezing two billion dollars in foreign aid allocated through USAID. In a split ruling, five votes in favour and four against, the highest court upheld a federal judge’s ruling ordering the immediate release of the funds, but asked for further clarification of the federal government’s duties in international aid.

Crucial vote by Roberts and Barrett

Chief Justice John Roberts and conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, appointed by Trump himself during his first term, voted along with the three liberal justices, determining the final outcome. The other four conservative justices, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh (also chosen by Trump), instead supported the Republican administration’s appeal.

The consequences of the freezing of funds

The appeal against the freezing of funds had been filed by the Aids Vaccine Advocacy Coalition and the Global Health Council, which denounced serious consequences: numerous associations found themselves on the brink of bankruptcy, forced to lay off staff and interrupt the distribution of life-saving medicines and food aid.

Impact of the ruling and next steps

The ruling represents an important first decision by the Supreme Court on Trump’s executive orders, and paves the way for many more legal challenges. More than 100 appeals have already been filed against the former president’s policies on funding cuts and public sector layoffs.

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