Who are John McConnell and Indira Talwani? Federal judges block Trump administration from suspending food aid benefits

U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to issue a lifeline on Friday (October 31, 2025) for low-income Americans reliant on food aid, saying he does not want them to "go hungry" a day before some 42 million people could lose their monthly assistance.

In a lengthy Truth Social post, Mr. Trump said "Government lawyers do not think we have the legal authority to pay" the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits once funding expires on November 1 during the ongoing government shutdown, but added that he has instructed them to "clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible."

A federal judge in Rhode Island gave the program a temporary reprieve earlier on Friday (October 31), ordering the White House to use emergency funds to pay for food stamps during the shutdown, in a case brought by charities and other groups.