WASHINGTON, DC (LOOTPRESS) – A federal judge in Rhode Island on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to immediately release full federal food assistance to states, sharply criticizing officials for ignoring a previous court order.
U.S. District Judge John McConnell rebuked Justice Department attorneys, calling the administration’s delay in restoring Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments “simply unacceptable.” He directed the government to distribute the funds by Friday, warning that millions of families cannot afford further postponement.
“Without SNAP funding for November, 16 million children are at immediate risk of going hungry,” McConnell said. “That should never happen in America.”
The ruling came after several states, cities, and nonprofit organizations urged the court to compel the administration to act. McConnell refused to stay his decision, saying, “People have gone without for too long.”
In his ruling, the judge accused the administration of withholding aid “for political reasons,” pointing to President Trump’s recent comments suggesting he would release SNAP funds only after Democrats agreed to end the government shutdown.
McConnell had previously ordered the administration to use contingency funds to ensure November SNAP benefits were issued — a directive the U.S. Department of Agriculture had not yet followed.
