A federal judge has mandated that the Trump administration fully finance this month’s food aid for 42 million low-income Americans by Friday, overturning its plan to offer reduced benefits during the ongoing government shutdown. U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Providence, R.I., criticized the administration on Thursday for withholding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, commonly known as SNAP or food stamps, for what he deemed as “political motivations.” McConnell directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure that individuals receive 100% of their benefits to prevent hunger and undue suffering.
During a virtual court session on Thursday, McConnell expressed concerns about the potential consequences of withholding benefits, highlighting the strain it could place on food pantries and the wellbeing of individuals. In response to McConnell’s ruling, the Trump administration swiftly filed an appeal, prompting a sharp reaction from Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, who condemned the move as callous and unprecedented.
The administration’s appeal sought to halt any court orders requiring additional spending beyond available contingency funds. Meanwhile, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’s office reported that some SNAP recipients in the state had already received their full November payments. However, the outcome of the appeal has left uncertainty regarding the distribution of SNAP benefits to eligible recipients across the country.
In a public statement, a USDA spokesperson assigned blame to Senate Democrats for impeding SNAP funding by repeatedly rejecting a Republican-backed stopgap measure to end the government shutdown. Vice-President JD Vance criticized the court’s ruling as “absurd” and hinted at divergent approaches the government might take in response.
McConnell’s ruling echoed sentiments from a related case in Boston, where judges required the administration to access emergency funds to support SNAP benefits. The USDA’s decision to only partially fund SNAP benefits has raised concerns about the timing and extent of aid recipients will receive, prompting states to advise budgeting and utilizing food assistance resources.
McConnell, appointed by former President Barack Obama, underscored the urgency of the situation and the need for prompt action to address the lapse in SNAP benefits. The judge emphasized that the administration’s failure to comply with court orders exacerbated the crisis, noting a social media statement from Trump indicating a willingness to withhold benefits until the shutdown concluded—a move McConnell deemed avoidable and detrimental to vulnerable populations.