Trump Blames Democrats as Food Assistance Funding Hangs in the Balance Amid Shutdown

As the federal government shutdown stretched into another week, President Donald Trump sparked controversy Friday night after claiming that his administration lacks the legal authority to continue funding the nation’s food assistance program. His statement came just hours before millions of Americans were set to lose access to benefits, igniting fierce debate over the political and legal realities behind the claim.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump blamed Senate Democrats for blocking efforts to reopen the government and accused them of playing politics with Americans’ livelihoods. “I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT,” he wrote, referring to repeated failed votes in the Senate to pass a stopgap funding bill.

Despite Republicans controlling both the House and the Senate, Democrats in the upper chamber have repeatedly used the filibuster to stall government funding legislation. Fourteen votes have taken place without resolution, with only a handful of Democrats breaking from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s leadership to support the Republican measure.

In his late-night post, Trump claimed that government attorneys had concluded it was unlawful for the administration to issue Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits while the shutdown continued. He said the administration had explored using contingency funds but found no clear path forward without congressional action.

“The lawyers tell me that until the government is reopened, SNAP funding cannot legally continue,” Trump said, suggesting that even though he wants to help, “Congress must act.” He added that his administration stands ready to resume payments immediately once lawmakers pass a funding bill, saying, “It will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding, just like I did with Military and Law Enforcement Pay.”

The president ended his message with a direct challenge to Senate Democrats, urging Americans to call Schumer’s office and “tell him to stop holding the government hostage.” He even shared the majority leader’s public contact number, sparking a wave of calls and online backlash overnight.

Federal Judges Step In

In a dramatic turn of events late Friday evening, two federal judges intervened, ordering the Trump administration to continue issuing food assistance payments using remaining contingency funds. The rulings came just hours before the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was set to suspend the SNAP program, citing the absence of legal authority to disburse funds during the shutdown.

The twin rulings, issued in separate federal districts, temporarily averted what could have been one of the most visible humanitarian crises of the ongoing shutdown. Roughly 40 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits for groceries, and advocates had warned of widespread food insecurity if the program lapsed.

The USDA has since confirmed it will comply with the court orders but cautioned that distribution delays are inevitable. “Reloading the electronic benefit transfer cards may take one to two weeks,” a USDA spokesperson said. “We are working with states to ensure there are minimal disruptions.”

Trump also acknowledged the rulings in a follow-up Truth Social post, writing, “Even if we get immediate guidance, it will unfortunately be delayed while States get the money out.”

Political Reactions

Republican lawmakers expressed optimism that the shutdown — now in its fifth week — could end soon. Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma said he believes Democrats are preparing to back down after next week’s slate of state elections.

“I’m pretty confident this shutdown will be over by Thursday or Friday,” Mullin told Fox News host Kellyanne Conway. “Democrats are realizing their base isn’t buying the narrative anymore. They need an exit ramp.”

Mullin accused Senate Democrats of using the shutdown as “political leverage” and predicted that party leaders would “try to spin it” as a Republican failure once they agree to a deal.

“Even some Democrats admit it’s uncomfortable for them,” he said. “They’ve said outright it’s a leverage point. But after the elections, they’ll try to take the high road and reopen the government — probably by Thursday midday.”

Democrats, however, argue that Republicans are responsible for the stalemate by refusing to compromise on major spending priorities, including healthcare funding and climate initiatives. Schumer’s office dismissed Trump’s latest comments as “a cynical distraction” from his administration’s “inability to govern responsibly.”

“The president’s refusal to negotiate in good faith has brought the country to this point,” a Democratic spokesperson said. “Food assistance should never be used as a bargaining chip.”

Legal and Political Fallout

Constitutional experts note that while the president’s authority over discretionary spending is limited during a shutdown, there may have been legal avenues to temporarily fund SNAP through existing contingency mechanisms. Critics argue that the administration’s public stance was more about political pressure than legal constraint.

“Past administrations have found ways to continue essential services during shutdowns, including food assistance,” said Dr. Elena Martinez, a professor of public policy at Georgetown University. “The claim of having ‘no legal authority’ is debatable — it’s as much about political will as it is about law.”

As the shutdown drags on, pressure is mounting on both parties to find common ground. With federal workers still unpaid, national parks shuttered, and crucial programs on hold, patience among the public is wearing thin.

For now, the continuation of SNAP benefits — at least temporarily — offers a brief reprieve. But the deeper political impasse remains unresolved.

Trump ended his statement with a familiar refrain that underscored his hardline stance: “The American people deserve better than this political circus. It’s time for Democrats to stop the games and reopen our government.”

Whether that call will break the deadlock — or deepen the divisions — may determine how long this shutdown’s shadow lingers over Washington.