On August 13, federal judges in Washington, D.C., overturned the lower court’s decision, removing the requirement for President Donald Trump’s administration to restore foreign aid funds that had previously been approved by Congress.
The appeals court determined that the aid-receiving organizations, who were the plaintiffs in the case, lacked legal standing to sue and that the lower court had “erred” in its judgment.
Lauren Bateman, attorney representing several of the plaintiffs, stated that she intends to request a rehearing. “Countless people will face disease, hunger, and death if the U.S. government continues to suspend aid to the most vulnerable populations worldwide,” she warned. The coalition of relief groups, businesses, and non-profits had filed suit against the Trump administration for halting foreign aid approved by Congress for the 2024 fiscal year.
Earlier, in February, federal Judge Amir Ali—appointed by former President Joe Biden—had issued an injunction blocking the Trump administration’s decision. Judge Ali ruled that U.S. officials could not freeze aid funds already allocated before taking office, nor could they dismiss or suspend employees involved in those programs.
After returning to office in January, President Trump suspended billions in foreign aid and ordered the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the government’s primary body responsible for global humanitarian assistance, including health programs and emergency relief in roughly 120 countries.