President Trump on Friday signaled that he would ensure Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue, provided his administration receives “the appropriate legal direction,” following a federal judge’s order to deploy an emergency fund for the program.
The announcement comes as the government shutdown, now stretching into its second month, threatens to halt food assistance for millions of Americans.
SNAP benefits are set to lapse Saturday, and Trump administration officials have maintained that they do not have clear legal authority to tap the emergency fund for the program. “Our Government lawyers do not think we have the legal authority to pay SNAP with certain monies we have available, and now two Courts have issued conflicting opinions on what we can and cannot do,” the president posted on Truth Social.
“I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT,” Trump continued. “Therefore, I have instructed our lawyers to ask the Court to clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible.”
The president stressed that even if the emergency funds were tapped, the distribution of November benefits would be delayed.
He urged citizens to contact Democrats to end the shutdown and noted that his administration had previously used alternative funding sources to pay members of the military.
Earlier Friday, U.S. District Judge John McConnell blocked the administration from cutting off SNAP benefits, rejecting arguments that the emergency fund could only be used for uncontrollable disasters such as hurricanes. He ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to distribute the $5.25 billion contingency fund “timely or as soon as possible” and provide the court with an update by Monday.
McConnell’s ruling followed closely on the heels of a written order from U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Massachusetts, which suggested she would issue a similar block. Talwani gave the government until Monday to explain how it intends to use the emergency funds.
While the roughly $5.25 billion in emergency funds is insufficient to cover the full $9 billion cost of November SNAP benefits, the administration retains the ability to close the gap using a separate source known as Section 32 funds, drawn from customs receipts. Both judges noted that the administration has discretion regarding whether to deploy these additional funds.
The looming lapse of SNAP benefits has raised concerns among lawmakers in both parties, as the program provides critical support to millions of Americans each month. As part of the broader shutdown stress, other government programs are also under strain, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution in Congress.
Trump’s response underscores his willingness to step in to prevent harm to American families while still emphasizing the legal constraints his administration faces. “I do NOT want Americans to go hungry,” the president said, framing the issue as a consequence of Democratic inaction. His approach mirrors previous actions, including the use of alternative funding to maintain pay for U.S. military personnel during the shutdown.
As the courts weigh the proper use of emergency funds, the Trump administration is poised to act quickly, balancing legal prudence with the immediate needs of SNAP recipients.
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