Trump vows to ‘fund SNAP as soon as possible’ if court allows, blasts Democrats over shutdown delay
In a recent statement on Truth Social, President Donald Trump announced that his administration is seeking clarification from federal courts regarding the legality of releasing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments amid the ongoing government shutdown. With the scheduled payment date for many SNAP recipients looming on November 1, Trump emphasized that government lawyers have expressed uncertainty about whether existing funds can be utilized for the upcoming distribution. This legal ambiguity is compounded by conflicting opinions from two courts on the matter, which has left millions of Americans who rely on SNAP benefits in a precarious situation. Trump stated, “I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT,” highlighting his administration’s frustration with the political stalemate.
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is a critical lifeline for approximately 42 million Americans each month, providing essential food assistance to low-income families. The funding for this program is contingent upon congressional appropriations, which have been disrupted due to the current government shutdown. As the deadline for benefit distribution approaches, uncertainty looms over whether the USDA can issue payments without new legal guidance. Trump has urged SNAP recipients to reach out to Senate Democrats, specifically targeting Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, in an effort to pressure them into agreeing to reopen the government. He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that Americans do not face hunger, drawing parallels to his previous actions to protect military and law enforcement pay during similar standoffs.
The political landscape surrounding the shutdown is fraught with tension, with Trump accusing Democrats of using the situation for political leverage. In contrast, Democrats argue that the White House could easily end the shutdown by signing a short-term spending bill already passed by the Senate. As the situation unfolds, the USDA has not issued any public statements regarding the potential impact on SNAP payments, leaving millions of Americans anxious about their food security. Trump’s call for legal clarity and his insistence on the necessity of SNAP funding underscore the urgent need for a resolution amidst the ongoing political impasse.
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President Donald Trump said Friday his administration has asked
federal courts
to clarify whether it can legally release Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments as the government shutdown continues.
In a statement
posted to Truth Social
, Trump said government lawyers had raised doubts about whether existing funds could be used for the November distribution and that two courts have issued conflicting opinions on the matter.
“Our Government lawyers do not think we have the legal authority to pay SNAP with certain monies we have available, and now two Courts have issued conflicting opinions on what we can and cannot do,” Trump wrote. “I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT.”
The president said he had instructed administration attorneys to ask the courts for clarification “as soon as possible.”
SCHUMER, DEMS CALL ‘BULL—-‘ ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER FOOD STAMP SHUTDOWN THREAT
“If we are given the appropriate legal direction by the Court, it will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding, just like I did with Military and Law Enforcement Pay,” Trump added. “The
Democrats should quit this charade
where they hurt people for their own political reasons, and immediately REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT.”
Trump urged food stamp recipients to contact Senate Democrats, writing, “If you use
SNAP benefits
, call the Senate Democrats, and tell them to reopen the Government, NOW! Here is Cryin’ Chuck Schumer’s Office Number.”
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, provides aid to about 42 million Americans each month, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Funding for the program depends on congressional appropriations, which have lapsed during the
current shutdown
.
USDA CHIEF WARNS ‘WE’RE RIGHT AT THE CLIFF’ AS 40 MILLION AMERICANS BRACE FOR FOOD STAMP CUTOFF
The president made his comments one day before the scheduled Nov. 1 payment date for many recipients. The USDA has not publicly confirmed whether benefits will be issued if the courts do not provide new guidance.
Trump has repeatedly accused Democrats of prolonging the shutdown to gain political leverage, while Democrats say the White House could reopen the government by signing a short-term spending bill already passed in the Senate.
In his post, Trump referenced his earlier actions to protect military and law enforcement paychecks during the standoff, calling it his duty to “ensure Americans don’t go hungry.”
No court filings related to SNAP funding had been publicly docketed as of Friday afternoon.
The White House referred Fox News Digital to President Trump’s Truth Social post when pressed for comment.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
