A U.S. federal court has ordered the Trump administration to continue distributing food stamp benefits to tens of millions of Americans, blocking the White House's attempt to leverage critical social welfare programs as political bargaining chips.

On Friday, Rhode Island District Judge Jack McConnell halted the planned suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits scheduled to take effect the following day. SNAP provides food assistance to approximately 42 million Americans nationwide.

In his ruling, Judge McConnell directed the Trump administration to utilize congressional emergency reserves to maintain at least partial SNAP distributions. The court further mandated the government to explore alternative federal funding sources to sustain the program amid the congressional appropriations deadlock.

Plaintiffs argued in court that terminating SNAP benefits constituted "arbitrary and capricious" action, creating "a crisis" for food stamp recipients. Judge McConnell stated:

There is no question that news of the SNAP termination has already caused panic among some individuals, raising concerns about their ability to secure adequate food for their families.

Concurrently, Boston-based federal Judge Indira Talwani expressed similar views while hearing a separate related case, suggesting plaintiffs were likely to prove the benefit suspension was "unlawful."

Facing judicial pressure, former President Trump responded on social media, stating he had instructed legal teams to seek court clarification on "how to legally fund SNAP as quickly as possible," while blaming Democrats for the government shutdown.

**White House Challenges Legality, Blames Congressional Inaction**

The Trump administration maintained its actions were legally justified. Justice Department attorney Tyler Becker argued in court that the SNAP program had effectively "ceased to exist" legally due to Congress' failure to pass funding bills, rendering benefit payments impossible.

Becker further contended that tapping into the $6 billion emergency reserve constituted executive branch discretion, asserting:

The government shutdown does not qualify as an emergency. If any emergency exists, it stems from Congress' failure to appropriate funds for government operations.

Trump echoed this position on Truth Social:

Our government attorneys believe we lack legal authority to use certain existing funds for SNAP, and now two courts have issued conflicting opinions about what we can and cannot do.

He reiterated willingness to provide funding if courts offered "proper legal guidance."

**Partisan Divide Highlights Political Standoff**

The court ruling triggered starkly contrasting partisan reactions. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the decision on social media, calling Trump's SNAP suspension "retaliatory and heartless." He characterized the move as an attempt to "manufacture a hunger crisis" to avoid healthcare concessions.

Conversely, White House officials strongly criticized the ruling. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told Fox News:

We're about to drain USDA emergency funds due to a liberal judge's ruling, though we legally disagree with this decision.

Hassett warned:

This creates risks—when hurricanes or food emergencies strike, we'll have no reserve funds available.

He accused Democrats of failing to propose solutions and bearing responsibility for the government shutdown.