Trump asks Supreme Court for emergency order to keep billions of dollars in foreign aid frozen
Share this @internewscast.com

WASHINGTON (AP) The Trump administration on Monday asked the Supreme Court for an emergency order to keep billions of dollars in foreign aid frozen.

The central issue in the legal dispute revolves around nearly $5 billion in aid approved by Congress, which President Donald Trump announced last month he would not spend, invoking a contested authority last utilized by a president around fifty years ago.

Last week, U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ruled that the Republican administration’s decision to withhold the funding was likely illegal.

On August 28, Trump informed House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., via letter that he would not disburse $4.9 billion in congressionally approved foreign aid, essentially reducing the budget without legislative approval.

He employed what is termed as a pocket rescission, a process where a president requests Congress toward the close of a budget year not to spend the allocated funds. The delay in notification prevents Congress from acting within the mandatory 45-day period, resulting in the funds remaining unspent.

Ali explained that Congress would need to approve the rescission proposal for Trump’s administration to withhold the funds. The law “is explicit that it is congressional action not the President’s transmission of a special message that triggers rescission of the earlier appropriations,” he stated.

The Trump administration has prominently reduced foreign aid despite its minor impact on the deficit and the potential harm to America’s international reputation as it affects foreign communities’ access to essential resources and development programs. The administration appealed to the Supreme Court after a panel of federal appellate judges refused to stay Ali’s decision.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer criticized the ruling as “an unlawful injunction that precipitates an unnecessary emergency and needless interbranch conflict.” He urged the justices to block it immediately.

But lawyers for the nonprofit organizations that sued the government said it’s the funding freeze that violates federal law, noting that it has shut down funding for even the most urgent lifesaving programs abroad.

“This marks the third time in this case alone that the Administration has run to the Supreme Court in a supposed emergency posture to seek relief from circumstances of its own making this time to defend the illegal tactic of a ‘pocket rescission,’” attorney Lauren Bateman of Public Citizen Litigation Group, lead counsel for the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition plaintiffs, said in a statement. “The Administration is effectively asking the Supreme Court to bless its attempt to unlawfully accumulate power.”

Justice Department lawyers told a federal judge last month that another $6.5 billion in aid that had been subject to the freeze would be spent before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.

The case has been winding its way through the courts for months, and Ali said he understood that his ruling would not be the last word on the matter.

“This case raises questions of immense legal and practical importance, including whether there is any avenue to test the executive branch’s decision not to spend congressionally appropriated funds,” he wrote.

In August, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit threw out an earlier injunction Ali had issued to require that the money be spent. But the three-judge panel did not shut down the lawsuit.

After Trump issued his rescission notice, the plaintiffs returned to Ali’s court and the judge issued the order that’s now being challenged.

___

Follow the AP’s coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Top Comedians Criticized for Participating in Saudi Arabian Festival

A comedy festival in Saudi Arabia’s capital is stirring controversy as well-known…

Teen Driving Safety Program Held by B.R.A.K.E.S. at Bristol Motor Speedway

BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) — The B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe)…

Police Continue Investigation at Michigan Church After Shooting and Fire Result in 4 Deaths and 8 Injuries

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Authorities are focusing their investigation on…

Rocket Engine Explosion During Firefly Aerospace Test

Internet Explorer 11 is not supported. For the best experience, please visit…

Champaign Radio Marks Anniversary with Yearly Festival Celebration

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A listener-supported radio station in Central Illinois is…

Clearwater Couple Shares Their Heartbreaking Experience with Rental Scam to Alert Others

In Tampa, Florida, John Swartz and his girlfriend, while on the hunt…

Federal Agents Make Their Presence Known in Downtown Chicago

Heavily armed federal agents in military-style outfits descended upon downtown Chicago on…

“Marion County Sheriff Targets Teen for Fake Amber Alert Hoax”

MARION COUNTY, Fla. – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has released more…

Masked Teenager in Stolen Car Reaches 100 mph in I-4 Pursuit, Authorities Report

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Early Monday morning, a high-speed chase involving a…

Federal Agents and ICE Protesters Clash in Chicago

() Immigration enforcement actions continue in Chicago, along with protests, as the…

Several Roads in Champaign-Urbana to Close Starting Monday

CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Drivers in the Champaign-Urbana area may need to…

Bad Bunny Set to Lead the Super Bowl Halftime Show

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bad Bunny, known for his dynamic blend of…