Washington — Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Freezes Order on Federal Food Benefits
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on Friday temporarily froze a lower court order requiring the Trump administration to swiftly provide full federal food benefits to roughly 42 million Americans. She gave a federal appeals court more time to consider whether to extend emergency relief while an appeal over payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) moves forward.
The Supreme Court’s intervention came as the administration faced a deadline to cover full food assistance for November and use $4 billion for nutrition programs. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit had initially left in place the lower court’s decision, prompting the Justice Department to seek emergency relief from the Supreme Court.
In her brief order, Jackson stated that the administrative stay would “facilitate the First Circuit’s expeditious resolution” and urged them to address the pending motion “with dispatch.”
The Trump administration argued in its emergency appeal that it had already exhausted a $5 billion contingency reserve, leaving only partial assistance payments possible for November. They warned that dip into a fund designated for Child Nutrition Programs for the additional $4 billion needed would jeopardize these programs’ operations this year, impacting critical food-assistance initiatives relied upon by millions of children daily.
A USDA official notified states on Friday that they were working to comply with the district court’s order to provide full food benefits to Americans enrolled in SNAP. This latest development follows a legal battle over SNAP benefits that unfolded over several days, sparked by concerns that the lapse in payments would leave millions hungry.
In a decision Thursday, U.S. District Judge John McConnell accused the government of undermining his earlier order to distribute aid, citing President Trump’s social media post suggesting benefits would be given only when Congress reopened. Amid confusion, the White House clarified that they were complying with McConnell’s initial order. However, McConnell insisted on full SNAP payments, stating comments from administration officials indicated benefits were being withheld for “political purposes.”
Seeking emergency relief from the 1st Circuit, the Justice Department claimed McConnell’s order “makes a mockery of the separation of powers” and directed the USDA to find $4 billion from “metaphorical couch cushions.” They argued that the judge’s decision, if left in place, would cause further shutdown chaos.
In contrast, lawyers for cities and nonprofit organizations claimed Trump administration officials disregard the harm to beneficiaries and other social programs if assistance is provided below the full level. They urged the appeals court not to allow further delays in delivering vital food assistance.