Several organizations, including the Global Health Council, the Small Business Association for International Companies and the American Bar Association, filed a lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court against President Donald Trump and other federal officials over foreign assistance programs’ funding.
Newsweek reached out for comment to the State Department via its online contact form.
Why It Matters
The U.S. pays more in foreign aid than any other country. Dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development emerged as a key priority for Trump upon his return to the White House, and critics have warned that ending USAID programs will worsen humanitarian conditions across the globe. They also say it will leave the U.S. in a weaker position in terms of national security.
Proponents of cutting foreign aid programs argue that those funds should instead be spent at home to tackle issues like border security and that these programs are a misuse of taxpayer dollars.
What To Know
Most USAID programs worldwide would be suspended following a funding freeze initiated by the White House. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said parts of the agency will continue to run under Pete Marocco, the State Department’s director of foreign assistance.
This comes amid Trump’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal government and cut federal spending, led by billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency.
In their lawsuit, the plaintiffs are seeking declaratory and injunctive relief. They allege that the defendants have unlawfully and unconstitutionally disrupted the funding and administration of USAID and other federal foreign assistance programs.
The complaint says Trump, Rubio and executive branch officials have attempted to dismantle USAID and have withheld billions of dollars in congressionally appropriated foreign assistance funding. MORE