U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued an administrative stay late Wednesday night on a federal judge’s order that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department release over $1.5 billion to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) overseas. The stay order is a provisional win for President Donald J. Trump, who argued in an emergency appeal to the high court that U.S. District Court Judge Amir H. Ali’s ruling exceeded judicial authority and encroached on presidential power.
The midnight deadline initially set by Judge Ali required immediate financial action from the agencies, but Chief Justice Roberts’ intervention maintains the current situation while a more thorough review is conducted. The challengers involved in the case have been instructed to submit a response by Friday, with the Supreme Court expected to deliberate and decide on the next steps shortly thereafter.
President Trump’s appeal is the first in a series of potential Supreme Court cases related to a range of executive orders enacted by the America First leader since his inauguration on January 20, 2025.
Meanwhile, consistent with the administration’s policy to reduce overseas spending, attorneys announced the termination of nearly 10,000 contracts and grants managed by USAID and the State Department. Only around 500 contacts have been retained.
One of former President Joe Biden’s final judicial appointments, Judge Amir H. Ali has deep ties to numerous NGO groups. He once served as the executive director of the MacArthur Justice Center, for instance.
Judge Ali was narrowly confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November, 50 to 48, with both Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mike Braun (R-IN) absent at the time. Braun was preparing his transition to serving as Governor of Indiana.
