A federal judge in Rhode Island has delivered a sharp rebuke to the Trump administration, ordering it to release emergency food assistance funds within days to millions of low-income Americans left in limbo by the ongoing government shutdown.
The court’s Saturday ruling demands that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pay full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by Monday—or, at the very least, partial payments by Wednesday. Judge John J. McConnell Jr. called the situation an “irreparable harm” to households that depend on the aid.
The administration had argued that the USDA could not legally distribute SNAP funds during the shutdown. McConnell rejected that position outright, noting that the government already has $5.25 billion in contingency funds that were designed specifically for emergencies like this. “There is no question that the congressionally approved contingency funds must be used now,” he wrote, reminding the administration that Trump himself, during his first term, authorized their use in similar circumstances.
At the close of Friday’s hearing, McConnell declared the decision not to use the contingency funds “arbitrary,” emphasizing that the agency must act “as soon as possible.” Should the emergency money fall short, he instructed officials to explore a separate reserve of approximately $23 billion.
Trump, addressing the issue on his social media platform, insisted he did not want “Americans to go hungry” and said he had directed his team to seek clarification from the courts on how to legally release the aid. The judge noted that Trump’s post effectively aligned with the court’s order, writing that he “appreciates the President’s quick and definitive response” to move forward with funding.
The ruling comes as the month-long federal shutdown, triggered by a budget impasse between Republicans and Democrats, continues to strain critical public services. SNAP, which supports more than 42 million Americans, costs between $8.5 and $9 billion each month. The USDA has said it lacks sufficient funds to cover November benefits without access to the contingency reserves.
In a separate case, a federal court in Boston also ruled against the administration’s claim that it was legally barred from tapping these funds—marking another judicial blow to a government increasingly cornered by its own fiscal standoff.
For now, the message from the bench is unambiguous: the shutdown cannot become an excuse to let Americans go hungry.
