President Donald Trump, with the help of Elon Musk, who runs the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) slashed a vast majority of aid being dolled out by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The slashing of waste within the agency triggered a mountain of backlash from Democrats and others who came to the realization that the money spigot had been turned off, and the matter quickly wound up in a massive legal battle.
According to reports, Chief Justice John Roberts stepped in this week when he blocked a lower court judge's ruling that ordered the Trump administration to release some $2 billion in USAID funding.
The Trump administration and DOGE cut a staggering $58 billion in funding agreements through the agency.
U.S. District Court Judge Amir Ali, a judge appointed by former President Joe Biden, ruled in favor of the agencies that immediately sued when the money was turned off.
Meet Amir Hatem Mahdy Ali.
Born in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He now cosplays as an American Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
He's the one who demanded Trump resume payments to USAID, which was just halted by SCOTUS.
If you don't think we've… pic.twitter.com/zHda8WPC71
— Appalachian Guy 𝕏 (@appalachianguyX) February 27, 2025
The judge had ordered the money to be reinstated by Wednesday at midnight, but that process was halted after U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts intervened and asserted his authority on the matter.
Chief Justice Roberts intervened after Solicitor General Sarah Harris filed an emergency motion to have the high court step in.
The agencies that sued the Trump administration were given until Friday, midday, to argue their side of the issue. It's up to Roberts at that point whether he wants to issue a ruling himself or refer the case back to lower courts for a decision.
The Trump administration, in its emergency request with the high court, argued why the lower court judge should be blocked.
"The order does not limit its abrupt deadline to respondents’ own invoices or letters of credit, instead apparently compelling the government to pay requests from any organization that has asked for such funds," said Solicitor General Harris.
She added, "The timing of the order does not allow the government to conduct payment-integrity review to ensure that payments are made only for obligations that are legitimate or supported by necessary documentation -- much less deny improper payments."
It'll be fascinating to see where the case ultimately lands and who gets the victory.
