US judge halts USAID shutdown

A US judge has ordered the government to restart funding for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), marking a significant setback for the Trump administration’s efforts to cut off support for reproductive health programs globally. USAID is now permitted to resume funding for programs that offer abortion counseling or referrals, and that advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The ruling, issued by US District Judge Paul Friedman on Wednesday, comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the nonprofit American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of an alliance of international non-governmental organizations. The ACLU argued that the Trump administration’s shutdown of the family planning programs violated the constitutional rights of not only American organizations, but also foreign organizations and individuals who benefit from them.

The judge agreed, stating that the shutdown violated the constitutional right to due process as it did not provide adequate pre-shutdown notice, and the right to freedom of speech for both domestic and foreign recipients of the funding.

The Trump administration had defended its decision, arguing that the government has the right to decide what is appropriate use of taxpayer money, and that being able to withhold funding for abortion-related services is an important policy priority.

The ruling comes as a relief to many, as the shutdown of family planning programs had threatened the healthcare and reproductive health of millions of people worldwide.