The US Supreme Court has rejected the halt of foreign aid requested by Donald Trump. The decision was made by a vote of 5 to 4.

The decision of the US Supreme Court is seen as a significant step that could disrupt Trump’s efforts to reshape the federal administration. The court, dominated by conservative judges, rejected the halt of foreign aid approved by Congress earlier, stating that the Trump administration could continue to discuss the matter in lower courts. The decision did not include a statement on when the frozen foreign aid should be released. After taking office on January 20, US President Trump had suspended billions of dollars in foreign aid from the Department of State and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Some civil society organizations in need of these funds for global health and other programs had filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The same groups had alleged that Trump’s administration was usurping Congress’s power to control government spending and violating federal laws that determine how institutions make decisions.