Trump Seeks Court Approval to Release SNAP Funds

President Trump said his administration has asked federal courts to clarify whether it can legally release SNAP payments during the ongoing government shutdown, saying government lawyers have doubts and that two courts have issued conflicting rulings. The dispute centers on whether the USDA may tap roughly $5–5.25 billion in contingency/disaster funds the administration contends are reserved for disasters and may be insufficient to fully cover November benefits for about 42 million people. U.S. District Judge John McConnell blocked the administration from cutting off SNAP and ordered timely distribution of emergency funds; Judge Indira Talwani signaled she may issue similar relief and gave the government until Monday to explain how it will use contingency funds. With the Nov. 1 payment date imminent, officials warned benefits could still be delayed even if courts authorize funding. Both parties continued to litigate and publicly blame each other as negotiations and court deadlines proceeded.