A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to fully restore funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, accusing the government of withholding aid “for political reasons.” The ruling comes as millions of low-income Americans face growing food insecurity during the nation’s longest-ever government shutdown.
In his ruling on Thursday, Judge John McConnell of Rhode Island stated that without full SNAP funding, “16 million children are immediately at risk of going hungry.” The program supports about 42 million Americans roughly one in eight by helping them afford basic groceries.
Initially, the administration planned to halt funding entirely this month, citing the prolonged shutdown. The Department of Agriculture had already reduced benefits to 65% of normal payments, but McConnell ordered that full benefits be paid by Friday, calling any further delay “simply unacceptable.”
“This should never happen in America,” the judge said, emphasizing that the administration failed to consider the hardships faced by millions who rely on SNAP assistance.
The White House announced it would appeal the ruling, though Press Secretary confirmed compliance in the meantime. President Trump, speaking at a dinner with Central Asian leaders, defended his decision, claiming that “too many undeserving people” were benefiting from the program. Vice President JD Vance supported Trump, criticizing the judiciary for “telling the president how to triage the situation.”
Advocacy group Democracy Forward, which brought the lawsuit, hailed the decision as a “major victory.” President Skye Perryman said the ruling sends a clear message that “the administration must stop playing politics with people’s lives.”
SNAP, which costs about $8 billion per month, provides reloadable debit cards for groceries. With federal funds frozen since October 1, many states and charities have stepped in to provide emergency food support. As uncertainty continues, millions of families await stability in the nation’s food assistance system.
