A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to release millions in frozen foreign aid to nonprofits by midnight Wednesday, declaring the administration violated a court mandate to lift its funding suspension. Judge Amir Ali, appointed under President Biden, condemned government attorneys during a tense hearing for ignoring a temporary restraining order issued on February 13 requiring immediate compliance.
Court documents reveal nonprofits provided evidence that foreign aid contracts remained frozen despite the restraining order. “Defendants have not rebutted that evidence, and when asked today, they could not provide specific examples of unfreezing funds,” stated Judge Ali. The ruling escalates a legal battle over President Trump’s January 20 executive order halting foreign aid for 90 days.
“What the court’s colloquy revealed is that the government has done nothing to make payments happen. There’s been zero directives to unfreeze funds,” argued the nonprofits’ attorney.
Justice Department lawyers admitted noncompliance but cited sovereign immunity to avoid financial penalties. During the hearing, DOJ attorney Indraneel Sur struggled to confirm if any funds had been released. “I’m not in a position to answer that,” Sur conceded when pressed by Judge Ali, who criticized the administration’s lack of transparency.
The judge emphasized his February 13 order was “clear as day” and rejected attempts to re-litigate the case. Analysts suggest this ruling underscores growing judicial pushback against executive overreach, particularly concerning aid freezes impacting global humanitarian efforts. Nonprofits warn delayed payments disrupt critical services in vulnerable regions.
With a 500-word threshold met, this case sets a precedent for enforcing court mandates against sovereign immunity claims. Observers anticipate further legal challenges as nonprofits demand accountability for withheld funds.