A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration improperly withheld $239 million in congressionally approved funds from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The court found that the withholding was based on ‘impermissible policy reasons,’ prompting the administration to release the funds. The NED, a U.S. government agency that promotes democracy worldwide, had claimed that the administration had unconstitutionally blocked the disbursement of the money. The lawsuit, filed in March, alleged that the administration had refused to release the funds citing national security concerns, a move the NED argued was an abuse of executive power.
The judge’s ruling represents a significant legal victory for the NED, which has long been a target of criticism from Trump’s administration. The court’s decision emphasizes that the executive branch must comply with congressional appropriations, even when the funds are intended for foreign policy initiatives. The funds, which were part of a larger appropriation for the NED, were set to be distributed to various international projects aimed at promoting democratic governance and human rights. The administration’s refusal to release the funds had raised concerns among lawmakers and civil liberties advocates, who argued that the move could set a dangerous precedent for executive overreach.
While the administration has not yet commented on the ruling, it is expected to comply with the court’s order. The release of the funds is likely to have a positive impact on the NED’s operations, which rely heavily on congressional appropriations. The case highlights ongoing tensions between the executive and legislative branches over the use of federal funds for foreign policy initiatives. As the NED prepares to distribute the released funds, the agency is expected to continue its efforts to support democratic movements around the world.