Washington, D.C. United States Agency for International Development Shutdown Challenge

Lawsuit filed by the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) and the Journalism Development Network (JDN) against President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Russell Vought and three government agencies challenging the Trump administration’s freeze on foreign assistance funding. On Jan. 20, 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14169 (EO 14169), which directed the OMB to execute a 90-day pause in the disbursement of U.S. foreign development assistance. The plaintiffs allege that four days after EO 14169 was signed, Rubio directed the U.S. Department of State to halt its foreign assistance funding and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) ordered the “immediate issuance of stop-work orders for existing foreign assistance awards.” The plaintiffs further assert that they, and other recipients of the affected funds, were issued stop-work orders and directed to immediately cease the implementation of affected programs during the 90-day freeze. 

The plaintiffs argue that EO 14169 violates the Administrative Procedure Act, Impoundment Control Act, Anti-Deficiency Act and several clauses of the U.S. Constitution. They ask the court to block the Trump administration from enforcing EO 14169 and order that the frozen foreign assistance funding be immediately reinstated.

On Feb. 13, the court partially granted the plaintiffs’ temporary restraining order, blocking the Trump administration’s suspension of foreign assistance funds that were allocated prior to Jan. 19, 2025. The order also blocks the administration from issuing any stop-work orders related to administering those funds. 

On Feb. 20, the court granted plaintiffs’ emergency motion to enforce the temporary restraining order.

On Feb. 25, the court granted a second motion to enforce the temporary restraining order filed by plaintiffs in a related case, Global Health Council v. Trump, after determining that the Trump administration continued to withhold foreign assistance funds. The Trump administration appealed to D.C. Circuit, but the D.C. Circuit immediately dismissed the appeal.

At the same time, the Trump administration appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court asking the Court to vacate the district court’s enforcement order and to enter an immediate stay while their application is briefed. The Court granted the administration’s request for an administrative stay. 

STATUS: The U.S. Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s request to pause the district court’s order requiring the government to disperse foreign aid funds by Sept. 30, 2025.

Last updated: December 3, 2025 12:01 pm EST