Updated Sep 9, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Supreme Court lets Trump freeze $4 billion in foreign aid, for now

Rebecca Falconer

President Trump, wearing a black jacket with US flag pin, white shirt and red tie, speaks to reporters in front of four large mics at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, as a military official in navy uniform and many medals looks on in front of a green helicopter. — President Trump at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Sunday. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The Trump administration can withhold $4 billion in foreign aid while the Supreme Court considers the case, Chief Justice John Roberts ruled on Tuesday.

The big picture: Roberts' brief temporary order that's in response to the administration's emergency filing against a federal judge's ruling that it release the aid that was approved by Congress is not the final decision on the matter, but it means the money remains frozen pending the outcome of the appeal.

Catch up quick: Groups including the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition and Global Health Council sued the administration over the decision to freeze the aid that's part of President Trump's move to shape an "America first" foreign policy, which saw the shuttering of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The administration had planned to spend $6.5 billion of the funds and withhold the remaining $4 billion ahead of a Sept. 30 congressional deadline.
However, a federal judge ruled last week that the administration should release the money, prompting the administration's emergency appeal.

What's next: Roberts gave the groups suing the administration until Friday afternoon to file a response to the government's request.

Go deeper: What is pocket rescission, Trump's bid to cancel billions in foreign aid?

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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Supreme Court lets Trump freeze $4 billion in foreign aid, for now

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