Appeals Court Blocks Trump
A federal appeals court delivered a major blow to President Trump on Friday, ruling against his plan to slash nearly $5 billion in foreign aid, despite overwhelming public support for putting America first and ending wasteful spending overseas.
The ruling forces the Trump administration to hand over billions in taxpayer dollars to the State Department and USAID, even though much of the money goes to countries that oppose U.S. interests.
Liberal Judges Side Against Trump
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit voted 2-1 to block President Trump’s budget move, siding with Congress instead of the White House.
The two judges who voted against Trump were appointed by Barack Obama and Joe Biden, raising concerns of political bias in the judiciary.
- Judge Cornelia Pillard – appointed by Obama
- Judge Florence Pan – appointed by Biden
The lone dissent came from Judge Justin Walker, a Trump appointee who argued that the President should have the authority to stop reckless foreign aid spending.
“The administration has every right to fight for the American taxpayer and prioritize U.S. citizens over foreign governments,” Walker wrote in his dissent.
Lower Court Issued Scathing 43-Page Opinion
This decision follows a fiery ruling earlier in the week from U.S. District Judge Amir Ali, who attacked the Trump administration for trying to hold back the funds.
In his 43-page opinion, Judge Ali claimed there was “no plausible legal interpretation” that would allow the White House to stop the billions from being spent.
Ali also stated, “Congress’s appropriations must be followed, and absent a clear constitutional challenge, the Executive Branch must comply.”
This ruling sends a clear message: the courts are determined to protect Washington’s spending machine, even if it comes at the expense of American taxpayers.
Trump’s Rare ‘Pocket Rescission’ Explained
In late August, President Trump announced plans to claw back $4.9 billion using a rare budgetary tool called a “pocket rescission.”
This maneuver would have allowed the administration to halt wasteful foreign spending before the funds were distributed — a move Trump supporters saw as common-sense fiscal responsibility.
Unfortunately, the effort was immediately met with fierce opposition, even from some Republicans in Congress.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, criticized the move, calling it an “attempt to undermine the law.”
Why This Matters to Everyday Americans
This court ruling doesn’t just impact foreign aid — it sets a precedent that could limit future presidents’ ability to redirect taxpayer money.
Instead of funding border security, veterans’ healthcare, or Social Security, billions will continue to flow to foreign governments, some of which openly oppose the United States.
For many Americans, this decision feels like yet another example of Washington elites ignoring the will of the people.
What’s Next for Trump’s America First Agenda
The Trump administration is expected to appeal this decision, potentially taking the fight to the Supreme Court.
This legal battle will shape the future of presidential authority and government spending, determining whether a President can stand up to Congress and stop reckless giveaways of taxpayer money.
Conservatives see this as a critical moment to protect the America First vision and ensure U.S. resources are spent here at home, not overseas.
Bottom Line
President Trump’s bold move to stop $5 billion in foreign aid has been temporarily blocked by a court stacked with Obama and Biden judges.
The decision forces American taxpayers to continue funding programs outside our borders — even as many families at home are struggling.
This ruling could have massive political implications heading into the next election, as Trump fights to restore fiscal sanity and put America first once again.
