‘Soulless’: Trump admin orders States to ‘immediately undo’ food aid for struggling families: Report

Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration has directed states to “immediately undo” any efforts to provide full food stamp benefits to low-income families for November, threatening financial penalties for non-compliance, according to a late-night USDA memo first reported by The New York Times.

The order, issued as the government shutdown reaches its 40th day—the longest in U.S. history—targets states that used court-ordered funds to distribute full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments to 42 million recipients, potentially leaving millions without adequate aid during the holiday season.

The memo, authored by top USDA official Patrick Penn, stated, “To the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November, this was unauthorized. Accordingly, States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November.” It warned that non-compliant states could lose access to SNAP-related federal funding.

The directive follows a federal court ruling on November 6, requiring the USDA to use available contingency funds to pay full SNAP benefits for the month, after an initial October 30, order for partial payments.

Several states, including California and New York, had already loaded full amounts onto EBT cards, the electronic system used by SNAP recipients to purchase groceries. The order forces these states to reverse transactions, potentially delaying or reducing aid for vulnerable residents.

SNAP, funded federally but administered by states, supports 1 in 8 Americans, including 9 million children and 8 million seniors, per USDA data.

What We Know 

The ruling stemmed from lawsuits by Democrats and nonprofits against the administration for withholding SNAP funding amid the shutdown, triggered by disagreements over ACA subsidies and spending.

The Justice Department appealed to the Supreme Court, which on November 8, issued an emergency stay blocking full payments pending review, per SCOTUS docket.

President Trump and allies have refused to sign a continuing resolution without Democratic concessions, extending the shutdown and delaying $2.1 billion in SNAP payments.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) called the order “soulless,” while Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) stated, “The cruelty is the point.”

House Agriculture Democrats posted on X: “Trump’s USDA would rather go door to door, taking away the food assistance people have already received, than do the right thing and fully fund SNAP for November so that struggling seniors and children can eat. It is incomprehensible and inconsistent with American values.”

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The move risks exacerbating food insecurity, with Feeding America estimating 1.5 million additional households affected. The shutdown has furloughed 800,000 federal workers, delaying USDA inspections and contributing to a 4% pork price spike, per BLS.

The USDA’s reversal could lead to lawsuits from states like California, with Gov. Gavin Newsom vowing compliance challenges. The Supreme Court’s review, expected by December could restore funding.