Judge blocks Trump's freeze on crucial foreign aid funds
Federal Judge Amir Ali has ordered the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to restore funding to hundreds of institutions involved in foreign aid (USAID). The institutions claim that the 90-day freeze of funds has severely disrupted their operations.
As reported on Thursday by Politico, the decision of the federal District Court for the District of Columbia prevents the Trump administration from canceling contracts and awards in foreign aid that were secured before the Republican assumed office on January 20.
The stated purpose of suspending all foreign aid was to provide an opportunity to analyze the programs in terms of their effectiveness and alignment with priorities, argued Judge Ali. According to the judge, no rational explanation has been presented on this matter so far.
The freezing of funds impacted thousands of contracts with companies, non-profit organizations, and other entities across the country.
American media highlights that Trump attempted to dismantle government agencies and ordered them to prepare for widespread employment cuts. Several agencies have already started the layoff process.
The Republican president also initiated a significant restructuring of the administration by dismissing or reassigning hundreds of public officials, including high-ranking ones, and hiring loyalists.
