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By Adeola Adeosun
Weekend Night Editor
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President Donald Trump's administration is escalating its legal battle over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), demanding that states immediately "undo" full SNAP benefit payments that were distributed following court orders last week.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued directives to state SNAP directors on Saturday, declaring the authorized payments "unauthorized" now that the Supreme Court has temporarily paused the rulings that mandated the disbursements. The move affects the anti-hunger program used by millions of Americans and has triggered fierce pushback from Democratic-led states and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
Why It Matters
The dispute over SNAP funding has become one of the major flashpoints of the government shutdown, with both parties blaming the other for delays.
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Approximately 42 million Americans, or roughly one in eight, rely on monthly SNAP benefits, which are delivered via electronic cards for groceries. Advocates warn that any interruptions or reductions in payments could place significant financial strain on the households that depend on the program.
What To Know
The legal clash unfolded rapidly over six days. Nonprofits and Democratic attorneys general sued to force the Trump administration to maintain SNAP benefits despite the government shutdown.
After winning favorable rulings last week, millions of dollars in benefits were swiftly released to beneficiaries in multiple states. However, on Friday night, liberal Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, in her role as circuit justice for the First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, temporarily paused those rulings while the Court considered the Trump administration's appeal.
Patrick Penn, deputy undersecretary of Agriculture, then wrote to state SNAP directors warning that payments made under the prior orders were "unauthorized" and demanding states "immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025." The directive threatened penalties for non-compliance, though it remains unclear whether penalties apply to states that used their own funds rather than federal money.
Wisconsin exemplifies the bind states face. Democratic Governor Tony Evers' administration loaded benefits onto cards for 700,000 residents following a Rhode Island judge's order, but after the U.S. Treasury froze reimbursements, the state anticipates running out of money by Monday. According to states' filings at the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, the situation could force states to demand return of hundreds of millions of dollars in the aggregate, creating what they describe as "catastrophic operational disruptions."
What People Are Saying
Democratic Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, in a statement: "Pursuant to and consistent with an active court order, Wisconsin legally loaded benefits to cards, ensuring nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites, including nearly 270,000 kids, had access to basic food and groceries. After we did so, the Trump Administration assured Wisconsin and other states that they were actively working to implement full SNAP benefits for November and would 'complete the processes necessary to make funds available.' They have failed to do so to date."
Republican Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski said on Sunday: "It's one thing if the federal government is going to continue its level of appeal through the courts to say, no, this can't be done. But when you are telling the states that have said this is a significant enough issue in our state, we're going to find resources, backfill or front load, whatever term you want, to help our people, those states should not be penalized."
Democratic Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey said Friday: "Massachusetts residents with funds on their cards should continue to spend it on food. President Trump should be focusing on reopening the government that he controls instead of repeatedly fighting to take away food from American families. If Trump attempts to claw back the money, we will see him in court."
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on X on Friday: “The Trump administration is begging the Supreme Court to block an order requiring them to immediately release SNAP benefits. Meanwhile, millions of hungry Americans are at risk of starving. These extremists are sick people.”
Democratic Senator Adam Schiff of California said on X on Friday: "The Trump administration will go to any length—including appeal to the highest court in the land—if it means they can cut off food for hungry people. What is wrong with them?"
Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote in a post on X: "Our attorneys will not stop fighting, day and night, to defend and advance President Trump’s agenda."
What Happens Next?
The Court will continue deliberating the Trump administration's appeal while states face an immediate crisis.
Bipartisan Senate negotiations over the weekend included provisions for full SNAP funding and reimbursements for expenditures made during the shutdown, though it remains unclear if such protections will survive final passage.
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
Update 11/9/25, 4:08 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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