This week saw the Trump administration pledge that it would use emergency funds to partially cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits while the government remains shut down.

This wasn't good enough for a Democrat-appointed judge, however, who dropped the hammer by ordering that benefits be paid in full. 

Administration ordered to fund SNAP

According to the Washington Examiner, U.S. District Judge John McConnell's demand came in the form of a decision issued on Thursday.

Specifically, McConnell instructed the Trump administration to begin drawing upon money in the Section 32 Child Nutrition Fund.

"Last weekend, SNAP benefits lapsed for the first time in our nation’s history, this is a problem that could have and should have been avoided," McConnell said.

"Therefore, the court grants the plaintiff’s motion to enforce and consistent with its prior orders, orders the administration to make the full snap payment to the states by tomorrow, Friday, November 7, utilizing available Section 32 funds in combination with the contingency funds," he declared.

Judge rejects White House arguments

The Examiner noted how McConnell rejected the Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyer Tyler Becker's contention that  Section 32 funds are not intended to serve as a backup for SNAP.

What's more, the judge also waved off Tyler's argument that Congress might fail to replenish the funds should they be depleted.

"Considering that, one, Congress with bipartisan support, has always funded the child nutrition program, and two, once a new appropriation bill is passed, ‘amounts appropriated for SNAP could be transferred to the child nutrition program account to effectively reimburse her for the amounts that account covered,'” McConnell asserted.

"More importantly, without snap funding for the month of November, 16 million children are immediately at risk of going hungry. This should never happen in America. In fact, it’s likely that SNAP recipients are hungry as we sit here," he added.

Administration to fund benefits amid appeal

Meanwhile, NBC News reported on Friday that the Trump administration will begin funding SNAP benefits in full even as it appeals McConnell's ruling.

The outlet cited a memo it obtained which Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Deputy Undersecretary Patrick Penn sent to states.

NEW: The Trump administration tells states it will fully fund SNAP benefits as soon as today while it appeals a federal judge's order. https://t.co/d0wr8WTSY9

— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 7, 2025

It explained that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) "will complete the processes necessary" to provide money for the time being.