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A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order freezing funding for certain foreign assistance programs administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The Feb. 13 temporary restraining order, granted by U.S. District Judge Amir Ali in Washington, D.C., follows a Feb. 11 lawsuit filed by the American Bar Association and seven co-plaintiffs, which argued the temporary freezing of USAID funding risked causing instability in countries around the world.
The lawsuit claimed the freeze was not justified beyond aligning with Trump’s “policy agenda.”
On Jan. 20, Trump issued Executive Order 14169, which stated the U.S. foreign assistance programs were “antithetical to American values.” The order said that during the 90-day pause, each foreign assistance program would be reviewed in accordance with guidelines provided by the Secretary of State.
But the judge’s ruling now allows foreign assistance programs to continue while the lawsuit proceeds, according to a Feb. 14 release from the ABA. During this time, the government cannot suspend or pause the disbursement of foreign-assistance funds that were in motion as of Jan. 19, 2025.
In her order, Judge Ali said the defendants in the lawsuit have not offered an explanation as to why the blanket suspension of congressionally appointed foreign aid was necessary in order to review these foreign assistance programs.
The ABA implements 19 programs funded by USAID and another 59 programs funded by the U.S. Department of State, according to information published in the ABA Journal.
These programs support U.S. interests around the world by promoting human rights, according to the ABA’s lawsuit.
“A strong rule of law and participatory democracies around the world create more favorable environments for U.S. interests and enhance the viability of global markets,” William Bay, president of the ABA, said in a Feb. 11 press release announcing the lawsuit. “The ABA strengthens legal institutions, supports legal professionals and advances public understanding and appreciation for the law. In doing so, these programs help reduce and prevent illicit activities such as drug and human trafficking and money laundering from reaching American shores.”
The case is Global Health Council et al v. Donald J. Trump et al, 1:25-cv-402.
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