This marks the first legal decision related to the suspension of funding for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Federal Judge Amir Ali issued a temporary ruling in response to a lawsuit filed by two international organizations—the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition and the Global Health Council—which receive funding from USAID.
In his decision, Judge Ali noted that the abrupt funding freeze caused "substantial harm" to organizations abroad.
Previously, Donald Trump’s administration justified the freeze by citing the need to review and assess their feasibility.
However, the judge noted that the administration "failed to provide any explanation" as to why the complete cessation of aid was the only viable option and could not substantiate its disregard for the interests of numerous organizations that faced closure as a result.
On Feb. 12, CNN reported, citing an informed source, that the USAID Inspector General was fired the day after his office published a report criticizing the impact of the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the agency.
On Jan. 27, Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne, citing a USAID press release, reported that the agency had suspended funding for all programs and projects without exceptions for 90 days.
According to the Washington Post, the Trump administration also placed dozens of high-ranking USAID employees on administrative leave. USAID supports projects in more than 100 countries, including Ukraine, funding school rebuilding, medical services, energy infrastructure repairs, social projects, and more.
On Feb. 3, Elon Musk, appointed by Trump to lead the quasi-governmental “Department of Government Efficiency,” announced a push to shut down USAID, calling it a "criminal organization" and stating it was "time for it to die."