Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Fund SNAP Amid Ongoing Shutdown

A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration must continue to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, despite the ongoing government shutdown. The decision, handed down on November 3, 2025, comes as the shutdown enters its seventh week, with President Trump and congressional Democrats still at an impasse over funding for the program. According to court documents, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg found that the administration's decision to withhold SNAP funding was "arbitrary and capricious," and therefore in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. The judge ordered the administration to resume funding for the program, which provides food assistance to millions of low-income individuals and families. In response to the ruling, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, which oversees the SNAP program, said that the agency was "reviewing the decision and considering its options." The spokesperson declined to comment further on the matter. The decision is a significant victory for advocates of the SNAP program, who have argued that the shutdown has put the livelihoods of millions of Americans at risk. "This ruling is a huge win for the people who rely on SNAP to put food on the table," said a spokesperson for the Food Research & Action Center, a non-profit organization that advocates for the program. "We're grateful that the court has recognized the importance of this program and the harm that the shutdown has caused." The SNAP program has been a contentious issue in the ongoing government shutdown, with President Trump and congressional Democrats locked in a dispute over funding for the program. The administration has argued that the program is not essential and can be suspended during the shutdown, while Democrats have argued that it is a critical lifeline for millions of Americans. In related news, New York City is gearing up for its mayoral election, which is set to take place on November 3, 2025. The city's current mayor, Bill de Blasio, is not seeking re-election, and a crowded field of candidates has emerged to replace him. The leading contenders for the Democratic nomination include Eric Adams, a former police captain and Brooklyn borough president, and Kathryn Garcia, a former city sanitation commissioner. Adams has campaigned on a platform of public safety and economic development, while Garcia has focused on issues such as affordable housing and education. The winner of the Democratic primary will face off against the Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa, in the general election. The mayoral election is seen as a critical contest for the future of New York City, with voters facing a range of pressing issues, including affordable housing, public safety, and economic development. The outcome of the election is expected to have significant implications for the city's direction and priorities in the years to come. The government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, has entered its seventh week, with no end in sight. President Trump and congressional Democrats remain at an impasse over funding for the program, with the administration refusing to budge on its demand for border wall funding. The shutdown has had significant consequences for federal workers and contractors, who have been forced to go without pay. The situation is expected to continue to unfold in the coming days and weeks.