Federal Courts Order Trump Administration To Continue Food Aid Despite Shutdown

Two US federal judges have directed President Donald Trump’s administration to keep paying benefits under a food assistance program.

Despite the ongoing government shutdown, which has left many agencies without funds.

The rulings instruct the administration to tap into emergency reserves to finance the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) .

The nation’s largest food aid initiative that helps low-income households purchase groceries. The program supports about 42 million Americans, roughly one in every eight people.

The court decisions came just a day before the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers SNAP.

It was set to suspend payments due to the funding shortfall. The shutdown, now in its fifth week, has disrupted operations across multiple agencies as Congress and the White House remain at an impasse over spending legislation.

Judge John J McConnell of the US District Court in Rhode Island ruled that the administration “must distribute the contingency money as soon as possible” to ensure benefits continue through November.

Around the same time, Judge Indira Talwani of Massachusetts ordered the federal government to clarify by Monday.

Meanwhile, it plans to secure continued funding for the program.

Several US states and non-profit organisations filed lawsuits demanding that the federal government maintain SNAP payments.

Without the court’s intervention, millions of families risked losing food assistance at the beginning of November.

Senator Amy Klobuchar, the leading Democrat on the Senate committee overseeing agriculture and food programs, said the ruling “leaves no excuse to withhold food assistance from Americans.”

Speaking to reporters, Trump said the program primarily serves ‘Democrat’ voters but emphasised his responsibility to all citizens.

“When you talk about SNAP, you’re talking about largely Democrats, but I’m the President. I want to help everybody. I want to help Democrats and Republicans,” he said.

SNAP, previously known as the food stamp program, has been a cornerstone of US welfare policy since the 1960s, providing essential nutrition assistance to low-income families nationwide.

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