Court Blocks Suspension of Foreign Aid
The court has put a brake on U.S. President Donald Trump's comprehensive federal civil servant restructuring.
On the 7th, Yonhap News reported, citing U.S. ABC News, that Beryl Howell, a judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, ruled in favor of the plaintiff in a reinstatement lawsuit filed by Gwen Wilcox, a member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
On that day, Judge Howell pointed out in the ruling that President Trump continues to act beyond the constitutional powers of the presidency. The 36-page ruling also included concerns that continuing on this path could harm the nation.
The ruling stated, "The President of the United States is not a king and does not have absolute authority to dismiss federal civil servants." It also said, "The President's own interpretation or aspiration regarding constitutional powers is completely wrong."
The ruling also mentioned an incident last month when the White House posted on social media a photo of President Trump wearing a crown with the caption "Long live the king," criticizing Trump for attempting to rule like a monarch.
Earlier, President Trump posted on the social media platform Truth Social that New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a member of the opposition Democratic Party, announced the abolition of the 'congestion toll' in Manhattan, New York City, effective from the 5th of last month, writing, "Manhattan and all of New York have been saved. Long live the king!" The White House also posted on X a photo of President Trump wearing a golden crown with the same phrase.
Judge Howell stated, "A president who portrays himself as a 'king' or 'dictator' fundamentally misunderstands the role of the president under Article II of the U.S. Constitution," adding, "It seems the president is testing how far the courts will accept the concept of the president as the supreme ruler by exercising his powers in a manner that clearly violates statutory law. The framers of the Constitution made it clear that no one, including the president, can be a king in our system of government."
On the 3rd of last month in Washington, USA, protesters opposing the abolition of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) held up placards in protest. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News.
On the same day, the federal court also blocked the Trump administration's suspension of overseas aid. The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration's request to overturn the Washington federal district court's decision prohibiting the suspension or deferral of foreign aid.
Earlier last month, Judge Amir Ali ordered the Trump administration to promptly pay USAID aid funds promised to contractors and grant recipients. The Trump administration did not comply and appealed to the Supreme Court.
After the Supreme Court's decision, Judge Amir immediately held a hearing on the 6th, pressuring the government to take immediate action.
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