Courts Order Trump to Fund SNAP, Blocking Hunger Weaponization

Federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts on Friday ordered the Trump administration to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing government shutdown, mandating the use of emergency contingency reserves to prevent an unprecedented suspension of food aid for 42 million low-income Americans. The rulings, issued hours apart, mark a significant legal challenge to the administration's claim that insufficient funds exist to cover the $8.5 billion to $9 billion monthly cost of the program, according to the Irish Times.

The Trump administration had announced earlier this week that SNAP benefits—typically distributed via reloadable debit cards—would halt in November due to the shutdown, which entered its 33rd day as of November 3. The USDA cited a lack of authority to allocate funds until Congress passes a spending bill to reopen the government, a position House Speaker Mike Johnson described as President Trump being "desperate" to resolve the impasse, according to The Guardian. However, the plaintiffs—including cities, nonprofits, and Democratic-led states—argued the USDA still had access to $5.25 billion in contingency funds and an additional $23 billion in unutilized reserves, the Irish Times reported.

U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Providence granted a temporary restraining order, calling the suspension "unlawful" and warning of "irreparable harm" to families facing food insecurity. The ruling followed a separate decision in Boston from Judge Indira Talwani, who gave the administration until Monday to report whether it would authorize partial or full payments using the emergency funds, the BBC reported. Both courts emphasized the legal obligation to maintain SNAP operations, with Talwani stating the administration must "use the tools available to fulfill its duties."

The USDA's stance has drawn bipartisan criticism. While some states, including California and New York, pledged to cover shortfalls with state funds, the federal government has refused to reimburse them, the BBC reported. The administration also faces scrutiny for its simultaneous prioritization of a $300 million gilded ballroom renovation at the White House, The Guardian noted.

Legal advocates hailed the rulings as a victory for vulnerable populations. A coalition representing cities and NGOs stated the decision "reaffirms a fundamental principle: no administration can use hunger as a political weapon," the BBC reported. However, the USDA indicated it would appeal the orders, signaling potential further delays in benefit distribution. Reloaded debit cards, which typically take one to two weeks to process, remain a logistical challenge for recipients, according to The Guardian.

The shutdown, triggered by disagreements over immigration policy and government spending, has left federal agencies operating with limited staff and resources. While the rulings temporarily preserve SNAP benefits, the broader political stalemate shows no signs of resolution.