President Donald Trump announced on Friday that his administration has requested federal courts to provide clarification on the legality of releasing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments amid the ongoing government shutdown. In a statement shared on Truth Social, Trump expressed concerns that government lawyers have indicated that existing funds may not be available for the distribution scheduled for November 1, 2025.
The president noted that conflicting opinions from two courts have created uncertainty regarding the use of available funds. “Our government lawyers do not think we have the legal authority to pay SNAP with certain monies we have available, and now two courts have issued conflicting opinions on what we can and cannot do,” he stated. Trump emphasized his commitment to ensuring that Americans do not face hunger due to the shutdown, which he blames on what he termed the “Radical Democrats.”
Trump directed administration attorneys to seek judicial clarification “as soon as possible,” reinforcing his intention to provide funding if legally permitted. “If we are given the appropriate legal direction by the court, it will be my honor to provide the funding, just like I did with military and law enforcement pay,” he added. He urged food-stamp recipients to lobby Senate Democrats, providing contact information for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to facilitate their outreach.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that SNAP assists approximately 42 million Americans each month. The funding for this crucial program relies on congressional appropriations, which have been interrupted by the current government shutdown.
As the payment date approaches, concerns are mounting. The USDA has not yet confirmed whether benefits will be released if the courts do not issue new guidance. The president’s remarks follow a pattern of accusations against Democrats for prolonging the shutdown for political gain, while Democrats argue that the administration could immediately reopen the government by approving a short-term spending bill already passed in the Senate.
The potential lapse in SNAP benefits has sparked outrage among recipients on social media, with many expressing their frustration over the impact of the shutdown on their essential grocery assistance.
Trump’s statement reflects his previous actions to secure military and law enforcement paychecks during periods of governmental impasse, reiterating his responsibility to ensure that no American goes hungry.
As of Friday afternoon, no court filings related to SNAP funding had been publicly recorded. The White House directed inquiries to Trump’s Truth Social post for further comment, leaving many to await the court’s decision on this vital issue.
