Court blocks plan to slash food aid for 42 million Americans, citing urgent humanitarian risk.
Washington, D.C. – November 6, 2025 — A federal judge in Rhode Island has ordered the Trump administration to fully fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the month of November, halting a controversial plan to issue only partial payments during the ongoing government shutdown.
The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr., came after the administration proposed covering just 65% of monthly benefits for the more than 42 million low-income Americans who rely on SNAP. The judge called the move “arbitrary and capricious” and warned that failure to act would leave 16 million children at immediate risk of hunger CBS News USA TODAY.
Court Rebuke and Urgent Deadline
Judge McConnell gave the administration until Friday, November 7, to disburse full benefits, stating:
“People have gone without for too long. Not making payments to them for even another day is simply unacceptable” ABC News.
The court also rebuked President Trump directly for signaling earlier in the week that SNAP would not be funded until the government reopens. The administration had argued that fully funding SNAP would jeopardize other programs, including child nutrition initiatives, but the court rejected that rationale FOX 7 Austin Yahoo News UK.
Legal and Political Fallout
The decision followed lawsuits from cities and nonprofit organizations, who argued that the administration’s plan violated federal law and endangered vulnerable populations. The White House has since appealed the ruling, leaving the long-term status of food aid uncertain as the shutdown enters its seventh week Yahoo News UK PBS.
SNAP, commonly known as food stamps, supports 1 in 8 Americans, including working families, seniors, and people with disabilities. The program is typically funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which has been operating on emergency reserves since the shutdown began.
Broader Implications
The ruling underscores the growing humanitarian toll of the record-breaking government shutdown, which has disrupted services, delayed paychecks, and strained safety nets nationwide. Advocacy groups warn that any further delay in SNAP funding could trigger food insecurity on a massive scale.
In short: A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits for November, blocking a plan to reduce aid during the shutdown. The decision protects food access for 42 million Americans but sets up a legal showdown as the White House appeals.
