Judge Orders Trump Administration to Lift Foreign Aid Freeze

A U.S. District Court Judge has ruled that the Trump administration has not fully complied with a previous order to unfreeze foreign aid funding. Judge Amir H. Ali emphasized that the administration's attempt to maintain a blanket suspension of aid is unacceptable and ordered an immediate cessation of such actions. The ruling extends the temporary restraining order until March 10, 2025, despite the administration's claims that it could terminate contracts under existing regulations. Ali rejected the administration's rationale for the continued suspension, stating that the court's order was clear and should not be circumvented. While he stopped short of holding officials in contempt, he warned that failure to comply could lead to a constitutional crisis. The freeze has significantly impacted humanitarian efforts, particularly in aid-dependent regions like Bangladesh's Rohingya refugee camps.