Court-halts-foodaid
Florida
A federal judge in Rhode Island blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from suspending all food aid for millions of Americans, ordering the government to use contingency funds to continue payments during the ongoing government shutdown.
U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Providence issued a temporary restraining order following an emergency petition filed by several cities, nonprofit organizations, and a public sector union. The plaintiffs argued that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits—commonly known as food stamps—starting Saturday was unlawful and would cause irreparable harm to vulnerable families.
In his ruling, Judge McConnell emphasized that the government’s plan violated federal administrative procedures and ignored the humanitarian consequences of cutting off essential nutrition support during a period of national crisis. He directed the USDA to immediately access available contingency funds to maintain SNAP distributions until further court review.
The decision brought temporary relief to millions of low-income Americans who rely on the program to meet daily food needs. SNAP is one of the largest federal assistance programs, serving more than 40 million people across the country, including children, seniors, and the disabled.
The ongoing government shutdown, triggered by a budget impasse between Congress and the White House, had raised fears that key welfare programs could face suspension. Advocacy groups praised the court’s intervention, calling it a crucial safeguard against administrative overreach. The case is expected to return to court later this month for a full hearing on the legality of the USDA’s actions.