Federal judge rules Trump admin’s SNAP
Judge Rules SNAP Suspension “Likely Unlawful”
A Massachusetts federal judge ruled Friday that the Trump administration’s plan to suspend SNAP food benefits
for 42 million Americans amid the government shutdown is “likely unlawful,”
though she stopped short of ordering the White House to use emergency funds.
Court Orders USDA Report
In a 15-page order, Boston US District Judge Indira Talwani gave the Department of Agriculture until Monday to report whether it could
“authorize only reduced SNAP benefits” using disaster-
response money or provide full benefits using emergency funds and “additional available funds.”
States Challenge USDA
Leaders of 25 Democratic-run states and D.C. sued the USDA after it warned the “well has run dry” for food stamps.
Saturday would mark the first lapse in SNAP funding in 60 years,
with states citing the Food and Nutrition Act’s requirement that “assistance under this program shall be furnished to all eligible households.”
USDA Response
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the contingency fund “doesn’t even cover…half of the $9.2 billion that would be required for November SNAP” and is only allowed if the underlying program is funded.
