Chief Justice John Roberts pauses judge’s order for Trump admin to pay foreign aid contractors by midnight
FOX NewsFEB 17
Supreme Court Halts $2B Foreign Aid Release Deadline
Above: A USAID logo is visible on a box amid the scattered remains of boxes and materials left behind by looters after widespread vandalism and looting following clashes at the World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in Bukavu on Feb. 21, 2025. Image copyright: Luis Tato/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Right narrative
The court has a duty to uphold Trump's legally sound USAID cuts. The agency, under corrupt officials like Samantha Power, has been a meddler's dream, not a tool for global or American good — it's a wasteful slush fund for everything from DEI programs in Ireland, Colombia, and Serbia to pushing interventionist propaganda around the world. The vast majority of Americans support Trump's efforts, which the courts should respect.
Left narrative
USAID’s dismantling under Trump highlights its vital role. Far from being a mere charity, it's a cornerstone of national security, having been used to counter foreign threats ranging from China to the Islamic State. Trump's shutdown is not only illegal because it sidestepped Congress, but it threatens to throw the world into chaos. Congress can stop this rogue assault through budget control and legal action, restoring a Reagan-endorsed tool essential to America's strength.