The United States Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to grant a request filed by the Donald Trump administration seeking to freeze nearly $2 billion in foreign aid as part of his efforts to slash government spending.

The Trump administration had filed an emergency application before the apex to vacate a February 13 order by Judge Amir Ali of the Federal District Court in Washington, directing officials to pay more than $1.5 billion in already completed aid work.

According to the New York Times, the plaintiffs, Global Health Council, a membership organisation of the health group, had returned to court, asking Mr Ali to enforce his ruling and the judge subsequently directed the Trump administration to comply with his orders by February 26.

However, in a ruling on Wednesday, which is the first to be entertained by the Supreme Court among other lawsuits against the current administration expected to reach the apex court, the justices of the court voted 5-4 to reject the emergency filed by the Trump administration.

Chief Justice John Roberts Jr and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the three liberal members to form a majority with Wednesday’s decision lifting the stay on execution of lower court’s order that was initially issued by the apex court.

Meanwhile, the apex court only asked Mr Ali, who had ordered the government to resume payments for jobs completed before Mr Trump resumed office, “should clarify what obligations the government must fulfill.”