The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked a lower court ruling that required Donald Trump’s administration to release billions in foreign aid that it had sought to withhold. Chief Justice John Roberts issued an administrative stay on Tuesday, giving the justices more time to review the case while requesting aid groups respond by Friday.
At the center of the dispute is $4 billion in funding approved by Congress for foreign aid, United Nations peacekeeping operations, and democracy-promotion programs abroad. The Trump administration argued that the funding was “contrary to U.S. foreign policy,” aligning with Trump’s “America First” agenda, which aimed to scale back U.S. assistance overseas and reduce the role of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Congress allocated about $11 billion in foreign aid last year, with funds required to be spent or obligated by September 30, the end of the fiscal year. The administration confirmed it would release $6.5 billion but attempted to block the remaining $4 billion through a controversial tactic known as a “pocket rescission.” This maneuver allows the president to withhold funds for up to 45 days after requesting a rescission from Congress, effectively running out the clock.
A federal judge ruled earlier this month that the administration could not withhold funds without congressional approval, a decision later upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. In response, Justice Department lawyers argued that forcing the executive branch to release funds undermines the separation of powers under the Constitution.
Plaintiffs, however, accused the White House of trying to unlawfully expand executive authority. Critics warned that approving the tactic would set a dangerous precedent. The case now awaits further consideration by the Supreme Court, which has consistently backed Trump’s policies since his return to office.