Among Donald Trump’s political promises, one of his key ambitions is to revive the American economy. As he decides to freeze humanitarian aid funds for a program review, a U.S. judge blocks this move.
Reviewing aid to revive the economy?
Since his inauguration on January 20, 2025, Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders. One of the most surprising is the 90-day suspension of funds allocated to humanitarian and development aid. The stated goal is to assess these funds to ensure they align with the new administration’s policies. This review specifically targets programs related to abortion, family planning, and initiatives promoting inclusion and diversity. This suspension has raised concerns among humanitarian organizations, fearing abrupt funding interruptions. U.S. humanitarian aid represents 42% of global assistance, and crisis-stricken countries that rely on these funds worry about immediate impacts on essential services.
Federal judge Amir Ali has openly opposed this economic measure. On February 8, he issued a ruling prohibiting U.S. authorities from blocking or delaying fund disbursement. According to him, the Trump administration fails to justify why freezing funds is necessary before reviewing the content of these programs. In his ruling, he wrote:
“The defendants have provided no explanation as to why a general suspension of all foreign aid was a necessary prerequisite for this review.” He also forbade the administration from canceling existing agreements or modifying pre-established funding conditions.
Political and NGO reactions
Humanitarian organizations and aid recipients welcomed the judge’s decision with relief. USAID, the federal agency responsible for distributing aid, plays a key role in financing humanitarian and development projects worldwide. A prolonged suspension could have endangered crucial programs in conflict zones or disaster-stricken areas. NGO representatives emphasize that such funding is often vital for vulnerable populations.
“Without these funds, millions of people could have lost access to medical care and essential food aid,” declared a spokesperson for the International Rescue Committee.
The political sphere in the U.S. has been shaken by this ruling. Democrats applaud the judge’s decision, arguing that suspending foreign aid would have been an arbitrary measure harmful to U.S. interests abroad.“America cannot withdraw from the world under the pretext of an ideological review,” stated a Democratic senator. On the other hand, Republicans support Trump and denounce judicial interference in presidential authority. They argue that the suspension was legitimate and necessary to ensure that taxpayer money is used in line with political priorities.This judicial and political showdown over foreign aid is likely to continue. Meanwhile, NGOs hope for financial stability to prevent disruptions in critical humanitarian operations.
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