Politics

Trump Administration Fights Judge’s Order for Full Food Stamp Benefits, What Happens Next?

Trump admin. appeals judge’s order to fully fund food stamps for 42M Americans, citing overreach.

November 7, 2025, 10:20 AM

Sign on a retailer's window stating "We Welcome SNAP Benefits" with USDA anti-discrimination and contact information.

A sign welcoming customers who use SNAP Benefits, displayed on a store window in Marion. By Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

The Trump administration has asked a federal appeals court to pause a judge’s order requiring the government to fully cover November food stamp benefits for nearly 42 million Americans.

US District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island mandated the USDA find additional money to make full SNAP payments for November.

The Justice Department argues Judge McConnell overstepped his authority, contending courts lack the power to appropriate or spend funds and that the injunction “makes a mockery of the separation of powers.”

The Story So Far

The current legal dispute arises from the Trump administration’s decision to only partially fund November’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, a move subsequently rejected by a federal judge who ordered the government to provide full coverage. The administration is appealing this order, arguing that the judge overstepped his authority, interfered with ongoing federal funding negotiations, and lacked the power to appropriate or spend funds.

Why This Matters

The Trump administration’s appeal to pause a judge’s order for full food stamp benefits creates immediate uncertainty for nearly 42 million Americans relying on SNAP, potentially delaying or reducing their essential November support. This legal challenge also escalates a significant constitutional dispute over the judiciary’s power to mandate federal spending during a lapse in appropriations, highlighting the vulnerability of critical benefit programs amidst government funding impasses.

Who Thinks What?

The Trump administration, through the Justice Department, argues that US District Judge John McConnell overstepped his authority by ordering the USDA to fully fund November food stamp benefits, asserting that courts lack the power to appropriate or spend money and that the order interferes with separation of powers and ongoing shutdown negotiations.

US District Judge John McConnell mandated that the USDA find additional money to make full November SNAP payments, rejecting the administration’s decision to only partially fund the program.

The Trump administration has asked a federal appeals court to pause a judge’s order requiring the government to fully cover November food stamp benefits for nearly 42 million Americans. The emergency request to the First Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday follows a federal judge’s ruling in Rhode Island that rejected the administration’s decision to only partially fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) this month.

US District Judge John McConnell issued an order on Thursday afternoon mandating that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) find additional money to make the full payments. The administration is seeking intervention from the appeals court by 4 p.m. ET on Friday.

Administration’s Arguments

The Justice Department, representing the USDA, informed the Boston-based appeals court that Judge McConnell had overstepped his authority. According to DOJ attorneys, McConnell’s decision “has thrust the Judiciary into the ongoing shutdown negotiations and may well have the effect of extending the lapse in appropriations.”

They further argued that the injunction “makes a mockery of the separation of powers,” stating that “Courts hold neither the power to appropriate nor the power to spend.” The Justice Department contended there was “no lawful basis for an order that directs USDA to somehow find $4 billion in the metaphorical couch cushions.”

Background and Impact

Earlier in the week, the USDA had provided states with enough funding to cover partial SNAP benefits for November, following an earlier order from Judge McConnell. That initial order was also appealed to the First Circuit.

States, which administer the SNAP program, have been processing these partial payments on varying timelines. Some states anticipate beneficiaries receiving assistance next week, while others suggest it could take longer. Illinois, for instance, began distributing funds on Friday for those scheduled to receive benefits earlier in the month.

This legal dispute underscores the ongoing challenges related to federal funding and the provision of essential benefits to vulnerable populations across the country.