Executive Summary
- A coalition of 25 Democratic-led states and Washington, D.C., has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to prevent billions of dollars in federal food assistance cuts to the SNAP program.
- The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration is threatening “illegal” cuts to SNAP, which serves 42 million Americans, amid a prolonged federal government shutdown and a critical funding deadline.
- The Trump administration, through the USDA, maintains it lacks the authority and sufficient contingency funding to cover SNAP benefits, while Democrats accuse President Donald Trump of attempting to “weaponize” the program.
The Story So Far
- The current lawsuit challenging federal food assistance cuts stems from a prolonged government shutdown, which has brought the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to a critical funding deadline. This situation is further complicated by a political stalemate where the Trump administration claims it lacks the authority and funds to use a contingency fund for benefits, while Democratic-led states and lawmakers accuse President Donald Trump of intentionally withholding funds to exert political pressure during the shutdown.
Why This Matters
- The imminent loss of federal food assistance for 42 million Americans due to the government shutdown marks a significant escalation in its humanitarian impact, prompting 25 Democratic-led states to sue the Trump administration over what they allege are illegal cuts to the SNAP program, thus forcing a judicial interpretation of the administration’s authority and responsibility regarding crucial social programs amidst congressional gridlock.
Who Thinks What?
- A coalition of 25 Democratic-led states and Washington, D.C., alleges that the Trump administration is threatening “illegal” cuts to SNAP, contending the USDA can use an existing contingency fund to cover benefits and is “weaponizing” the program to pressure them during the shutdown.
- The Trump administration, through the USDA and White House, maintains it lacks the authority and sufficient contingency funding to cover SNAP benefits beyond Saturday due to the government shutdown, and accuses Democrats of causing the shutdown and using SNAP recipients as “pawns.”
A coalition of 25 Democratic-led states, alongside Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, seeking to prevent billions of dollars in federal food assistance cuts. The legal action comes as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, faces a critical funding deadline this weekend amid a prolonged federal government shutdown.
Legal Challenge to Food Assistance Cuts
The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts federal court, alleges that the Trump administration is threatening “illegal” cuts to SNAP, which serves 42 million Americans. The states contend that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cannot indefinitely suspend benefits or refuse to spend appropriated funds from an existing contingency fund for eligible households.
In response, the Trump administration, through the USDA, maintains it lacks the authority to use the contingency fund to cover SNAP benefits beyond Saturday. Officials stated in a memo last week that the appropriation for regular benefits for fiscal year 2026 no longer exists due to the shutdown.
Impact of Government Shutdown
The potential loss of food aid for tens of millions of Americans has intensified anxiety in Washington, as the government shutdown approaches its one-month mark. Lawmakers from both parties acknowledge this would be the most significant impact of the shutdown to date, with House Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly warning GOP members privately about the escalating hardship for everyday citizens.
The stalemate continues, with Senate Democrats repeatedly voting to block Republican funding bills that do not include their demands for extended health care subsidies. GOP leaders, however, refuse to negotiate on these subsidies until the government reopens, leaving the parties in a bitter impasse.
Democrats have maintained their stance, accusing President Donald Trump of attempting to “weaponize” the food assistance program by intentionally withholding funds to pressure them into concessions.
Administration’s Stance and Congressional Stalemate
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated on “CNN News Central” that the USDA lacks sufficient contingency funding to cover the estimated $9.2 billion needed for November’s SNAP benefits. She emphasized the need to reopen the government, suggesting a “clean continuing resolution” would resolve the issue.
The White House, through an Office of Management and Budget spokesperson, criticized Democrats, asserting they “chose to shut down the government knowing full well that SNAP would soon run out of funds.” The spokesperson added that it was “sad they are using the families who rely on it as pawns.”
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, a Democrat, publicly supported the lawsuit, accusing the Trump administration of using SNAP benefits “to play shutdown politics.” Jackson asserted that the department possesses the necessary funds and is “looking to ratchet up the pain in an already painful moment.”
The lawsuit points out that Congress approved $6 billion for a “SNAP-specific contingency fund” in a March spending bill that averted a previous shutdown. The USDA’s own website had previously identified these funds as part of its strategy to maintain food stamp payments during a government shutdown.
Outlook
The legal challenge by Democratic-led states against the Trump administration underscores the escalating political and humanitarian stakes of the prolonged government shutdown. With millions of Americans facing potential loss of food assistance, the courts are now engaged in interpreting the administration’s authority and responsibility regarding crucial social programs amid congressional gridlock.
