Trump Admin Ordered to Pay SNAP Benefits During Shutdown, Judge Rules

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Halting SNAP Benefits During Government Shutdown

A federal judge in Rhode Island has taken a decisive step to prevent the Trump administration from halting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the ongoing government shutdown. The ruling came just one day before the administration was scheduled to cut off food stamp benefits for 42 million Americans.

Judge Jack McConnell issued an oral ruling directing that the benefits be paid out of emergency funds "as soon as possible." This decision is critical for families who rely on SNAP to afford basic groceries, especially during times of economic uncertainty.

McConnell emphasized the potential harm of cutting off benefits, stating, "There is no doubt, and it is beyond argument, that irreparable harm will begin to occur if it hasn't already occurred in the terror it has caused some people about the availability of funding for food for their family."

This ruling followed a similar decision by another federal judge in Boston, Judge Indira Talwani, who indicated that the states involved in the lawsuit are likely to prove that the suspension of SNAP benefits was unlawful. Talwani gave the administration until Monday to determine whether it would authorize at least reduced SNAP benefits for November.

President Donald Trump responded to the rulings, stating that his legal team believes they do not have the authority to fund SNAP with available monies. He also noted that two courts had issued conflicting opinions on what the administration could or could not do.

"I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Therefore, I have instructed our lawyers to ask the Court to clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible."

The plaintiffs in the case argued that the cutoff of SNAP benefits was an "arbitrary and capricious act" that had created a crisis for those who depend on the program. In contrast, the Justice Department lawyer, Tyler Becker, claimed that SNAP no longer exists due to the lack of congressional funding during the shutdown.

Becker also suggested that the administration has discretion over using up to $6 billion in contingency funds to continue issuing benefits. However, McConnell directed the administration to use these funds to maintain at least some of the benefits and explore other federal funds to keep the program running.

The judge granted a temporary restraining order to the plaintiffs, who filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to preserve the benefits. The coalition of plaintiffs included cities, non-profit organizations, unions, and business groups.

In a statement, the coalition praised the ruling, saying it reaffirms the principle that no administration should use hunger as a political weapon. They emphasized the importance of American values such as fairness, compassion, and accountability.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer commended the rulings, calling Trump's decision to cut off SNAP "vindictive and heartless." He highlighted that no president in American history has cut off SNAP during a shutdown, including Trump in his first term.

However, White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett criticized the rulings, arguing that the use of emergency funds could leave the country unprepared for other emergencies. He urged the government to reopen as soon as possible and criticized the Democrats for not having a plan.

The Trump administration has blamed Senate Democrats for the shutdown, citing their refusal to vote for a short-term funding bill proposed by House Republicans. The bill does not include an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, which Democrats insist on.