A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to pay several nonprofit groups and aid organizations affected by the freeze on foreign assistance and the shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development. The judge has set a deadline for Monday for the government to release funds to at least nine groups, including the Global Health Council and Chemonics International. The amount to be paid is still under determination, but the government estimated it to be up to $2 billion. The Supreme Court has affirmed the judge’s ruling, but requested clarification on the obligations the government must fulfill to comply. The Justice Department anticipates they may need up to ten working days to make the payments, raising concerns among the aid organizations who need the funding by March 14 to continue their operations. USAID provides billions of dollars in humanitarian aid overseas and in fiscal year 2023 provided assistance to approximately 130 countries. The Trump administration has announced plans to slash spending at USAID, potentially eliminating up to 90% of the agency’s contracts and $60 billion in foreign assistance. The Justice Department has assured that legitimate payments will be made, but the timeline for disbursement remains uncertain. Overall, the outcome of this legal battle will significantly impact the functioning of USAID and the aid organizations that rely on its funding.
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