Trump Administration Demands States to Reverse SNAP Benefits Amid Supreme Court Stay

Mon Nov 10 2025 00:17:14 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a contentious move, the Trump administration orders states to rescind SNAP benefits following a temporary Supreme Court stay, raising concerns among governors and anti-hunger advocates about the program's stability.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a directive for states to undo full SNAP benefits approved under recent court rulings, citing a temporary stay from the Supreme Court. This decision has prompted reactions from various state officials and raised fears over the implications for millions of Americans relying on SNAP during ongoing government shutdowns.

The Trump administration’s escalating legal tussle over SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, has taken a new turn as the U.S. Department of Agriculture has ordered states to 'undo' benefits that had recently been authorized under court orders. This directive comes on the heels of a temporary Supreme Court ruling that has placed a hold on previous legal decisions that favored the distribution of SNAP benefits to millions of Americans.

Last week's court victories for several states resulted in the re-instatement of benefits for approximately 42 million Americans affected by the ongoing government shutdown. Many states proceeded with distributing SNAP benefits based on earlier judicial rulings, which the USDA has now deemed unauthorized.

Patrick Penn, deputy undersecretary of Agriculture, emphasized the urgency of compliance by noting that there could be consequences for states that fail to reverse their decisions on SNAP payments. Notably, over two dozen states have cautioned that retracting these benefits could lead to severe operational disruptions.

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has labeled the USDA's directive as 'shocking,' particularly for states that utilized their own funds to enable SNAP benefits amidst federal inaction. Meanwhile, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has threatened legal action should the Trump administration attempt to recover funds already distributed to families in need.

Wisconsin's Governor Tony Evers confirmed that some 700,000 residents received benefits last week in accordance with a court ruling, while Maryland's Governor Wes Moore expressed frustration over the inconsistent directives from the federal government. In a broader context, advocates and state leaders are urging the Trump administration to prioritize reopening the government and maintaining stability in the SNAP program to support those relying on its assistance.