Judge Orders Full Funding of SNAP Benefits Amid Government Shutdown
Published 6 November 2025
Highlights
- A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits for 42 million Americans by Friday.
- Judge John McConnell criticized the administration for planning to only partially fund the program during the government shutdown.
- The judge highlighted the risk of hunger for 16 million children if full benefits are not provided.
- The Trump administration initially planned to halt SNAP funding entirely due to the shutdown.
- The White House intends to appeal the ruling, but will comply with the judge's order in the meantime.
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Rewritten Article
Judge Orders Full Funding of SNAP Benefits Amid Government Shutdown
In a significant legal development, a federal judge in Rhode Island has mandated the Trump administration to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by Friday. This decision comes as a rebuke to the administration's initial plan to only partially fund the program during the ongoing government shutdown, which has left millions of low-income Americans in uncertainty.
Judicial Criticism of Partial Funding
U.S. District Judge John McConnell, appointed by President Barack Obama, issued the order on Thursday, emphasizing the dire consequences of withholding full SNAP benefits. "Without the aid, 16 million children are immediately at risk of going hungry," McConnell stated, underscoring the potential for widespread food insecurity. The judge criticized the administration's failure to comply with a previous order to ensure full or partial benefits by Wednesday, noting that the plan to partially fund SNAP could take weeks or even months to implement in many states.
Impact of the Government Shutdown
The government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, prompted the administration to initially propose halting SNAP funding entirely for November. However, following legal challenges, the administration agreed to cover 65% of the benefits. Judge McConnell's ruling demands full funding, highlighting the "irreparable harm" that partial funding would cause, including overburdening food pantries and causing needless suffering.
Political Reactions and Legal Context
The White House has expressed its intention to appeal the ruling, with President Trump blaming Democrats for the shutdown and suggesting that SNAP is being misused by undeserving individuals. Vice-President JD Vance supported Trump's stance, criticizing the judge's decision as an overreach. Meanwhile, advocacy groups like Democracy Forward have hailed the ruling as a "major victory," urging the administration to stop "playing politics with people's lives."
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Scenario Analysis
The legal order to fully fund SNAP benefits could set a precedent for future cases involving government shutdowns and social welfare programs. If the Trump administration proceeds with its appeal, the case could escalate to higher courts, potentially influencing the interpretation of executive power during shutdowns. Politically, the ruling may intensify debates over the role of federal assistance programs and the responsibilities of the government during fiscal impasses. As the shutdown continues, the pressure mounts on both political parties to negotiate a resolution that addresses the needs of vulnerable populations relying on SNAP benefits.
In a significant legal development, a federal judge in Rhode Island has mandated the Trump administration to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by Friday. This decision comes as a rebuke to the administration's initial plan to only partially fund the program during the ongoing government shutdown, which has left millions of low-income Americans in uncertainty.
Judicial Criticism of Partial Funding
U.S. District Judge John McConnell, appointed by President Barack Obama, issued the order on Thursday, emphasizing the dire consequences of withholding full SNAP benefits. "Without the aid, 16 million children are immediately at risk of going hungry," McConnell stated, underscoring the potential for widespread food insecurity. The judge criticized the administration's failure to comply with a previous order to ensure full or partial benefits by Wednesday, noting that the plan to partially fund SNAP could take weeks or even months to implement in many states.
Impact of the Government Shutdown
The government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, prompted the administration to initially propose halting SNAP funding entirely for November. However, following legal challenges, the administration agreed to cover 65% of the benefits. Judge McConnell's ruling demands full funding, highlighting the "irreparable harm" that partial funding would cause, including overburdening food pantries and causing needless suffering.
Political Reactions and Legal Context
The White House has expressed its intention to appeal the ruling, with President Trump blaming Democrats for the shutdown and suggesting that SNAP is being misused by undeserving individuals. Vice-President JD Vance supported Trump's stance, criticizing the judge's decision as an overreach. Meanwhile, advocacy groups like Democracy Forward have hailed the ruling as a "major victory," urging the administration to stop "playing politics with people's lives."
What this might mean
The legal order to fully fund SNAP benefits could set a precedent for future cases involving government shutdowns and social welfare programs. If the Trump administration proceeds with its appeal, the case could escalate to higher courts, potentially influencing the interpretation of executive power during shutdowns. Politically, the ruling may intensify debates over the role of federal assistance programs and the responsibilities of the government during fiscal impasses. As the shutdown continues, the pressure mounts on both political parties to negotiate a resolution that addresses the needs of vulnerable populations relying on SNAP benefits.
