President Donald Trump announced on Friday that his administration is pursuing court clarification regarding the legality of releasing funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as the ongoing government shutdown raises concerns about food assistance payments. In a statement shared on Truth Social, Trump highlighted conflicting opinions from two courts regarding the use of existing funds for the program, which supports approximately 42 million Americans each month.
Trump emphasized that his legal team has expressed uncertainty about the authority to utilize available funds for the upcoming SNAP distribution scheduled for November 1, 2025. “Our government lawyers do not think we have the legal authority to pay SNAP with certain monies we have available,” he wrote, adding that the conflicting judicial opinions complicate the situation. He criticized the Democrats for delaying government operations, stating, “I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT.”
To address the funding issue, Trump instructed his administration’s attorneys to seek judicial clarification “as soon as possible.” He further asserted his commitment to provide necessary funding once legal guidance is received, mentioning his previous actions to protect military and law enforcement paychecks during the shutdown.
The president urged SNAP recipients to advocate for their benefits by contacting Senate Democrats directly, providing specific contact information for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Trump’s post reflects ongoing frustrations from SNAP beneficiaries, who have taken to social media to express their concerns about the impact of the government shutdown on their food assistance.
The funding for SNAP, which was previously known as food stamps, relies on congressional appropriations that have lapsed during the current shutdown. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not confirmed whether benefits will be disbursed if new legal guidance is not established before the payment deadline.
As the shutdown continues, Trump has repeatedly accused Democrats of using the situation for political gain. Democrats, for their part, argue that the White House could resolve the crisis by signing a short-term spending bill that has already passed in the Senate. The impasse has left many SNAP beneficiaries anxious about the future of their grocery aid.
In a context where food security is at stake, Trump’s comments underscore the urgency of resolving the shutdown. With the scheduled payment for SNAP looming, the administration’s legal maneuvers may play a critical role in determining the next steps for millions of Americans reliant on this vital assistance program. As of Friday afternoon, there were no new court filings related to SNAP funding publicly available. The White House referred inquiries to Trump’s statement on Truth Social, reflecting the administration’s current communication strategy amidst the ongoing crisis.
