Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Release Frozen Foreign Aid Funds
A federal judge has taken significant action against the Trump administration, directing it to release millions of dollars in frozen foreign aid funds to various nonprofit organizations. This decision comes after the administration was found to have violated a temporary restraining order issued earlier this month. The order had prohibited the freezing of foreign aid funds, a directive the Trump administration failed to adhere to following President Trump’s executive order in January, which halted all foreign aid for 90 days.
Judge Excoriates Trump Administration for Noncompliance
Judge Amir Ali, who was appointed during the Biden administration, expressed strong disapproval of the Trump administration’s actions during a lengthy hearing. He criticized the administration for not lifting the suspension on foreign aid funds as required by the temporary restraining order issued on February 13. Despite the clear directives, the Trump administration failed to comply, prompting Judge Ali to enforce the order and set a deadline of 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday for the funds to be released. The judge emphasized that the administration had not provided any evidence to counter the nonprofits’ claims of noncompliance, nor could they offer specific examples of funds being unfrozen.
DOJ Lawyers Struggle to Justify Administration’s Actions
During the hearing, lawyers from the Department of Justice acknowledged that the Trump administration had indeed ignored the temporary restraining order. However, they argued against the requirement to pay back the money, citing "sovereign immunity" as a legal defense. This argument was met with skepticism by Judge Ali, who pressed the DOJ attorneys for specifics on whether any funds had been unfrozen or if there were plans to release them. The DOJ attorney, Indraneel Sur, struggled to provide clear answers, stating he was "not in a position to answer" whether funds had been unfrozen, and could only mention that preparations were underway for a joint status report on compliance.
Judge Clarifies the Purpose of the Hearing
At one point during the hearing, Sur attempted to provide a legal justification for the administration’s noncompliance, but Judge Ali firmly reminded him that the purpose of the hearing was to address the motion to enforce the temporary restraining order, not to revisit the terms of the order itself. The judge made it clear that the terms of the order were unambiguous, stating they were "clear as day." This exchange highlighted the judge’s frustration with the administration’s lack of compliance and the DOJ’s inability to provide satisfactory answers.
Nonprofits Argue Trump Administration is Defying Court Order
Lawyers representing the nonprofits that brought the case against the Trump administration argued that the administration’s inaction amounted to a direct defiance of the court’s order. They pointed out that there had been no directives from the relevant agencies to unfreeze the funds, and as far as they were aware, no steps had been taken to release the payments. This lack of action, despite the court’s clear instructions, underscored the administration’s apparent disregard for the judicial process and the rule of law.
DOJ Files Appeal as Deadline Looms
Despite the clear directives from Judge Ali, the Department of Justice filed a notice of appeal on Tuesday, indicating their intention to challenge the court’s decision. This move sets the stage for further legal proceedings, even as the deadline for releasing the funds looms. The nonprofits, however, remain focused on ensuring compliance with the court’s order and obtaining the funds they are legally entitled to receive for the work they have already performed. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the balance of power between the executive branch and the judiciary, particularly in matters of foreign aid and government spending.
