Federal Court Rules President Trump Must Continue SNAP Benefits Amid Government Shutdown
November 1, 2025 — Two federal judges on Friday ruled that the Trump Administration is required to tap into federal contingencies to continue to support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) nationwide. The ruling gave the administration until Monday to signal whether it will initiate partial payments.
Federal Program Funding at Risk
As the government shutdown pushes over 30 days, many public services are at risk of buckling due to a lack of federal funding. This has already led to a number of federal government layoffs and websites such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration being temporarily paused.
President Trump and Republicans in congress blame the Democrat party for this shutdown, arguing that the inability to achieve consensus on a new budget is the sole cause for the government shutdown. Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress, as well as the executive branch.
The federal funding standoff is reaching a point where it's beginning to affect the lives of everyday americans. The Secretary of Agriculture is making an effort to block the payment of SNAP, arguing at the Capitol on friday that "the contingency fund can only flow when the underlying fund is flowing."
This legal dispute between the current administration and federal judges isn't new, and it's the latest push by Donald Trump to strengthen executive power and limit the authority of federal judges. Recently, the Supreme Court further limited judicial power against the Administration in a 2025 ruling.
What's Next?
As the government shutdown continues on, further action will be taken to halt the flow of money from the government to programs. The debate on the use of the federal contingency fund continues to prevail, and it is unclear when a permanent solution will manifest. If the administration refuses compliance, the courts could issue enforcement orders, further escalating the clash between the branches of government.
