U.S. District Judge John McConnell has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to suspend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), ensuring continued food aid for over 42 million Americans amid an ongoing government shutdown.
Judicial Intervention in Providence
On 31 October 2025, Judge John McConnell of the District Court of Rhode Island ruled against the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) plan to halt SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps, starting Saturday, 1 November. The decision came in response to lawsuits filed by cities, nonprofits, and labor unions, arguing that the suspension would cause irreparable harm to vulnerable populations.
The judge’s order mandates that the USDA continue distributing benefits using contingency funds, despite the administration’s claim that it lacks legal authority to do so without a new congressional spending bill.
Shutdown Context and Legal Dispute
The ruling follows a month-long government shutdown that began on 1 October, during which the USDA warned it could not cover the $8.5–$9 billion monthly cost of SNAP without new appropriations. President Trump stated that administration lawyers were uncertain about their ability to fund the program and had requested judicial clarification.
Judge McConnell’s decision aligns with a similar ruling issued minutes earlier by Judge Indira Talwani in Massachusetts, creating a unified judicial stance against the suspension.
National Impact
SNAP supports low-income households across all 50 states, and the program’s disruption would have affected food retailers, local governments, and nonprofit food pantries already strained by increased demand.
The court’s intervention ensures that millions of families will continue receiving food assistance while legal and legislative processes unfold.
Sources:
ABC News; USA Today; Reuters via Yahoo News
