Critics argue President Trump has overstepped his constitutional authority by slashing congressionally approved aid.A United States appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can proceed with efforts to slash foreign aid payments, despite such funds being designated by Congress.The two-to-one ruling on Wednesday overturned a previous injunction that required the Department of State to resume the payments, including about $4bn for the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and $6bn for HIV and AIDS programmes.But the majority opinion from the appeals court did not weigh the merits of whether Trump could nix congressionally approved funds.Instead, it decided the case based on the idea that the plaintiffs did not meet the legal basis to qualify for a court injunction.Writing for the majority, Circuit Judge Karen Henderson said the groups in question “lack a cause of action to press their claims”. They include the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition and the Journalism Development Network, both recipients of federal aid.“The grantees have failed to satisfy the requirements for a preliminary injunction in any event,” wrote Henderson, who was appointed by former President George HW Bush.She was joined in her decision by Gregory Katsas, a Trump appointee.However, the panel’s third judge — Florence Pan, nominated under former President Joe Biden — issued a dissenting opinion that argued Trump should not be allowed to violate the separation of powers by cutting the aid.“The court’s acquiescence in and facilitation of the Executive’s unlawful behavio …
