Judge Rules Trump SNAP Suspension “Likely Unlawful”
A federal judge in Massachusetts found that the Trump administration’s plan to suspend SNAP food benefits for 42 million Americans during the government shutdown was “likely unlawful.” However, the judge did not order emergency payments to continue.
Key Points:
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USDA Reporting Required: Judge Indira Talwani ordered the Department of Agriculture to report by Monday on whether it could provide reduced benefits from disaster funds or full benefits using emergency and other available funds.
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State Lawsuit: Leaders of 25 Democratic-run states and D.C. sued the USDA, citing violations of the Food and Nutrition Act, which guarantees assistance to eligible households.
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Contingency Fund Limits: Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins explained that the disaster fund only applies if the underlying program is funded, and it cannot cover the $9.2 billion needed for November benefits.
Takeaway: The court signals that halting SNAP payments may violate federal law, but immediate relief for recipients remains uncertain due to funding limits.
