The Trump administration is in trouble with a federal judge over payments of SNAP benefits. A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to pay full SNAP benefits for November by Friday, rejecting the administration’s plan to partially fund the food stamp program for 42 million Americans during the U.S. government shutdown.
“People have gone without for too long,” Judge Jack McConnell said during a hearing in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island, where he issued the order.
McConnell said the Trump administration, which had already agreed to tap a congressionally authorized contingency fund to pay partial SNAP benefits, must also use so-called Section 32 funds that it had refused to tap earlier this week.
“The evidence shows that people will go hungry, food pantries will be overburdened, and needless suffering will occur” if SNAP is not fully funded, said McConnell.
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The U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports over 40 million Americans, faced significant disruption due to the federal government shutdown that began in October. The U.S. Department of Agriculture initially announced that new SNAP benefits would not be issued starting November 1, 2025, leaving millions of low-income households uncertain about access to food assistance. Existing benefits already distributed remained usable, but future payments were at risk, creating immediate economic stress for vulnerable populations.
Two federal court rulings intervened, requiring the administration to use contingency funds or alternative measures to continue at least partial disbursements, preventing a complete halt. The situation highlighted how dependent SNAP recipients are on timely government funding and how shutdowns can exacerbate food insecurity. While partial relief was provided, the full resumption of benefits remained contingent on congressional action and the resolution of the government funding impasse, leaving households reliant on emergency measures.
McConnell noted in a written order that more than half of the program’s recipients are children, seniors, and veterans.
“While the President of the United States professes a commitment to helping those it serves, the government’s actions tell a different story,” McConnell wrote.
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“Faced with a choice between advancing relief and entrenching delay, it chose the latter — an outcome that predictably magnifies harm and undermines the very purpose of the program it administers.”
On Monday, the administration told McConnell it would pay 50 percent of the benefits by using the contingency fund. But it ruled out using at least $4 billion from the Child Nutrition Program, as well as other sources.
This situation also raises questions about the balance of power, as courts increasingly intervene to enforce social protections when administrative choices threaten public well-being. For policymakers, the episode is a cautionary tale: ensuring food security requires not only funding but also resilient systems that can withstand political stalemates. For the public, it underscores the tangible consequences of government gridlock, showing that delays in decision-making can quickly translate into real hardship for millions.
Ultimately, the 2025 SNAP case serves as a critical reminder that social safety nets are only as strong as the commitment of government institutions to maintain them consistently, even amid political uncertainty.