The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of President Donald Trump’s administration, allowing it to block $4 billion in foreign aid funds that had been approved by Congress. In a 6-3 decision, the court overturned a prior ruling by Biden-appointed U.S. District Judge Amir Ali, who had blocked the cuts and ordered the Trump administration to restore funding.
The ruling comes after Trump utilized a rare legal strategy known as a “pocket rescission” to halt the funds near the end of the fiscal year. This method involves notifying Congress of the cut just before the budget cycle concludes, leaving limited time for legislative action. A lower court had previously deemed this maneuver illegal, but the Supreme Court’s decision reversed that ruling.
The administration argued that Congress’s failure to act within 45 days would invalidate the funds, which are set to expire on September 30. The case sparked debate over executive authority, with critics asserting that only Congress has the power to allocate funds under the Constitution.
Chief Justice John Roberts issued a temporary stay in late September to halt the lower court’s ruling while the Supreme Court reviewed the matter. The three liberal justices dissented, with Justice Elena Kagan criticizing the court for bypassing formal procedures and failing to fully address the legal complexities.
The decision marks the first use of a pocket rescission in 50 years and reinforces the Trump administration’s efforts to assert control over federal spending.
