Journalism of Courage
Trump says SNAP benefits to resume only after US government reopens
The statement came amid a 35-day deadlock in Washington over government funding between Republicans, who hold the majority, and Democrats in Congress.
November 5, 2025 12:27 AM IST
First published on: Nov 4, 2025 at 11:33 PM IST
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President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on board Air Force One on his way back to the White House from a weekend trip. (AP) US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that food assistance for low-income Americans will be distributed only after the ongoing federal government shutdown ends, despite a court order requiring payments to begin this week.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits “will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before!” Reuters reported.
Why it matters
The statement came amid a 35-day deadlock in Washington over government funding between Republicans, who hold the majority, and Democrats in Congress.
The shutdown has disrupted services and delayed benefits for nearly seven million low-income Americans.
Court order and government response
A federal court in Rhode Island had ordered the Trump administration to release full food aid payments by Monday, or partial payments by Wednesday, noting the “irreparable harm” caused by delays.
On Monday, the administration made $450 million from tariff revenue available for a separate childhood nutrition programme affected by the shutdown, according to official funding records seen by Reuters.
However, it said in a court filing that the funds would not be used for the $4 billion required to fully cover November SNAP benefits.
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