Trump Administration Demands States Reverse SNAP Benefits Amid Legal Turmoil
By SCOTT BAUER and NICHOLAS RICCARDI
Associated Press
Trump Administration Demands States Reverse SNAP Benefits Amid Legal Turmoil
By SCOTT BAUER and NICHOLAS RICCARDI
Associated Press
Trump Administration Demands States Reverse SNAP Benefits Amid Legal Turmoil
By Scott Bauer and Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press
In a dramatic turn of events, the Trump administration is demanding that states reverse full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that were recently authorized under court orders. This comes after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay on those rulings, intensifying an ongoing legal battle that affects 42 million Americans relying on this crucial anti-hunger program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a warning to state SNAP directors, stating that any payments made under the previous court orders are now considered “unauthorized.” Patrick Penn, deputy undersecretary of Agriculture, instructed states to “immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025.” This directive has raised alarms among more than two dozen states, which have warned of “catastrophic operational disruptions” if they are not reimbursed for the benefits they had already distributed.
The legal saga began when nonprofits and Democratic attorneys general filed lawsuits to ensure the continuation of SNAP benefits amid a government shutdown. Last week, favorable rulings allowed states to release benefits to millions of residents. However, the situation took a sharp turn on Friday night when Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily paused the rulings, leading to the USDA’s abrupt demand.
Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska expressed shock at the USDA’s directive, particularly for states like hers that utilized their own funds to support the program. “It’s one thing if the federal government is going to continue its level of appeal through the courts,” she said. “But when you are telling the states that have said this is a significant enough issue in our state, we’re going to find resources… those states should not be penalized.”
Democratic Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts responded firmly, stating that SNAP benefits had already been processed and placed on EBT cards before the Supreme Court’s order. “If Trump attempts to claw back the money, we will see him in court,” she declared, urging residents to continue using their benefits for food.
Critics of the Trump administration have condemned its actions, arguing that the administration could have maintained the SNAP program even during the government shutdown. A coalition of states, represented by Democratic attorneys general, warned that the administration’s refusal to reimburse them for legally ordered SNAP payments could lead to severe financial repercussions, including unpaid vendor bills and escalating legal claims.
Wisconsin’s Democratic Governor Tony Evers issued a defiant response to the USDA’s demand, stating, “No.” He emphasized that the state had legally loaded benefits onto cards for nearly 700,000 residents, including 270,000 children, in compliance with an active court order. Evers criticized the Trump administration for failing to fulfill its promise to implement full SNAP benefits.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore echoed these frustrations, describing the situation as “chaos” and criticizing the administration for its inconsistent guidance. “There is a chaos, and it is an intentional chaos, that we are seeing from this administration,” he said.
As the legal battle continues, the future of SNAP benefits for millions of Americans hangs in the balance, with states and residents anxiously awaiting clarity from the courts and the federal government.
