Just as millions of Americans brace for a potential lapse in their food aid, a federal judge may have just thrown a wrench into the Trump administration’s plan.
But here’s the twist: even as the court signals the move is probably unlawful, it’s unclear whether families will see relief—or if the administration will find a legal loophole to proceed anyway.
A Massachusetts federal judge ruled Friday that the Trump administration’s decision to halt SNAP food benefits for 42 million Americans amid the ongoing government shutdown is likely illegal—but stopped short of mandating the White House to use emergency funds to keep payments flowing.
In a 15-page order, Boston U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani instructed the Department of Agriculture to report by Monday whether it could either provide reduced SNAP benefits using disaster relief funds or full benefits using emergency money and any additional available resources.
The lawsuit was filed by leaders of 25 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia after the USDA warned that its SNAP funds had “run dry” due to the shutdown. Saturday would mark the first interruption in federal SNAP funding in 60 years, with states arguing that the administration’s plan violated the Food and Nutrition Act, which mandates that eligible households must receive assistance.
Earlier Friday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told reporters that the contingency fund could not be tapped to cover SNAP, even if desired. She explained, “There is a contingency fund at USDA, but it doesn’t even cover half of the $9.2 billion needed for November SNAP. It can only be used if the main program is funded—such as in the aftermath of a hurricane or other disaster affecting vulnerable communities—not to patch a shutdown.”
Conclusion:
The ruling highlights a legal clash over SNAP funding at the heart of the government shutdown. While Judge Talwani’s order suggests the administration’s freeze on benefits may be unlawful, families across the country remain in limbo, awaiting clarity on whether emergency funds will be deployed or if millions will face interruptions in their food assistance for the first time in six decades.