Trump says administration lacks legal authority to fund SNAP benefits during government shutdown

President Donald Trump stated Friday, October 31, that government lawyers have determined his administration lacks legal authority to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program using available funds during the current government shutdown. In a Truth Social post shared on X, Trump said two courts issued conflicting rulings regarding government use of certain funds.

He instructed lawyers to request court clarification on legal SNAP funding methods "as soon as possible." "I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT," Trump wrote.

The statement came amid mounting pressure from SNAP recipients and advocacy organizations concerned about food security for millions of American families relying on federal assistance.


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Trump indicated any SNAP funding would experience delays due to shutdown timing and state distribution processes. He stated that if courts grant legal approval, "it will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding, just like I did with Military and Law Enforcement Pay."

The president attributed shutdown responsibility to Democrats, calling on them to "quit this charade where they hurt people for their own political reasons" and reopen the government immediately.

Trump posts senate majority leader contact information

Trump urged Americans receiving SNAP benefits to contact Senate Democrats, posting the office telephone number for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in his social media statement.

The SNAP program provides food assistance to approximately 42 million Americans nationwide. Federal courts previously ordered the administration to distribute contingency funding for the program, though implementation questions remain unresolved.