Trump Seeks Supreme Court Approval for $4 Billion Cut in Foreign Aid

Wed Oct 22 2025 05:19:27 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

President Trump's administration calls on the Supreme Court to allow the withholding of billions in allocated foreign aid, citing separation of powers concerns.

In a move that could significantly impact international relations, President Donald Trump's administration is asking the Supreme Court for permission to withhold over $4 billion in foreign aid already allocated by Congress. Following a lower court ruling that obligated the government to spend these funds, the Solicitor General argues that the injunction poses a threat to executive powers. This unprecedented challenge comes amidst Trump's ongoing efforts to reshape foreign aid expenditure.

The administration is seeking an emergency order to retract funds designated for various foreign assistance programs. A recent lower court decision mandated the government to adhere to the appropriations made by Congress, but an appeals court declined to intervene in that ruling.

Solicitor General D John Sauer emphasized the urgency of their request, claiming that the injunction raises a grave and urgent threat to the separation of powers. He stated that the court's decision undermines the President's ability to effectively conduct foreign affairs and coordinate with Congress.

Trump's administration had previously sought to leverage a legislative mechanism that allows for a withdrawal of funds deemed unnecessary. Trump's rationale for this significant foreign aid cut, which includes $3 billion for the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and other allocations for international peacekeeping, hinges on his assertion of wastefulness in current foreign spending.

This situation has ignited legal challenges from various nonprofits and businesses reliant on foreign assistance funding, marking a historic move by a president to attempt unilateral cuts to allocated funds. The Supreme Court, expected to issue a ruling soon, previously rejected Trump's attempt to freeze $2 billion in foreign aid during a separate case.

As the fiscal year nears its end, Trump's efforts to revoke this foreign aid could lead to billions remaining unspent if Congress is unable to act swiftly on his request.