Politics

Trump Threatens SNAP Benefits Halt: How His Stance Could Impact 42 Million Americans

Trump threatened to halt food aid, contradicting prior stance. 42M Americans could lose benefits, fueling legal battles.

byEditorial Staff

November 4, 2025, 4:33 PM

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

President Donald Trump threatened to withhold Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits until the government shutdown concludes, directly contradicting his administration’s earlier court assertion to provide partial funding.

This potential action could leave nearly 42 million Americans without crucial monthly federal food assistance, cutting off an average of approximately $350 per household.

The threat further escalates an ongoing legal battle, with states and legal organizations already suing, and a federal judge scheduled to consider a new request to compel the administration to provide full SNAP benefits.

The Story So Far

The current events are rooted in an ongoing government shutdown, which President Trump is leveraging by threatening to withhold Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from nearly 42 million Americans. This threat directly contradicts his administration’s earlier commitment to a federal court to provide partial benefits using a contingency fund, further escalating an existing legal battle where states and other groups are suing to ensure the continuation of this crucial aid.

Why This Matters

President Trump’s threat to withhold SNAP benefits until the government shutdown concludes directly jeopardizes the food security of nearly 42 million Americans, who could lose an average of $350 per month in crucial assistance, while also significantly escalating an already intense legal battle with states and advocacy groups over the provision of these funds.

Who Thinks What?

Donald Trump stated that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would be withheld until “Radical Left Democrats” agree to open the government.

The Trump administration, through the Justice Department, initially informed a federal court it would use a contingency fund to provide partial SNAP benefits through November, prior to President Trump’s declaration.

States, legal organizations like Democracy Forward, and a coalition of cities, nonprofits, unions, and small businesses are suing and seeking a court order to compel the administration to provide full SNAP benefits, arguing that partial benefits are insufficient and the administration should access all available funds.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to withhold Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits until the government shutdown concludes, directly contradicting his administration’s earlier assertion to a federal court that it would continue funding partial benefits. This potential action could abruptly leave nearly 42 million Americans without crucial monthly federal food assistance, further escalating an ongoing legal battle over the aid.

Trump’s Stance and Administration’s Position

Trump stated on Truth Social that SNAP benefits “will be given only when those Radical Left Democrats open up the government, which they can easily do, and not before!” This declaration came just one day after the Justice Department, representing the administration, informed a court that it would abide by an order to use a roughly $5 billion contingency fund to provide partial benefits through November.

Neither the White House nor the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees SNAP, immediately responded to requests for comment regarding Trump’s post. The Justice Department also declined to comment on the matter.

Potential Impact and Legal Ramifications

Should Trump follow through on canceling the aid, it would cut off an average of approximately $350 per month for each household relying on the program. This move would also raise significant new legal questions, as more than two dozen states had already sued last week to ensure the continuation of at least some aid.

Skye Perryman, CEO of Democracy Forward, a legal organization involved in a separate lawsuit seeking to continue SNAP benefits, responded to Trump’s post on X, stating, “This is immoral. See you in court.”

Court Proceedings and Funding Dispute

Trump officials had initially planned to cut off benefits beginning November 1, citing concerns about the legality of using the contingency fund or reallocating money from other accounts. However, a court indicated that the administration had the option to use both methods to fully fund the more than $9 billion in aid. The administration subsequently chose to use only the contingency fund to disburse partial benefits.

A federal judge has scheduled a hearing for Thursday to consider a new request for an order that would compel the Trump administration to provide full food stamp benefits for November. US District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island will preside over the hearing, marking the latest development in the federal court showdown over the benefits.

A coalition of cities, nonprofits, unions, and small businesses, who brought the initial legal challenge, pressed Judge McConnell for further intervention after the government notified him of its plan to provide only partial benefits. They argue that the USDA’s decision does not align with the requirements of his previous order and are seeking a new order to force the administration to access a separate pool of funds for full SNAP benefits in November.

Ongoing Uncertainty

The escalating dispute over SNAP benefits highlights the direct impact of the government shutdown on millions of vulnerable Americans. The courts are now playing a central role in determining the immediate future of federal food assistance amidst the political standoff.