The Trump administration is demanding that states “undo” full SNAP benefits paid out under judges’ orders last week, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily stayed those rulings, intensifying a legal battle over the anti-hunger program used by 42 million Americans.
According to The Associated Press, the U.S. Department of Agriculture warned state SNAP directors Saturday that payments made under the prior orders are now considered “unauthorized.”
“To the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized,” Patrick Penn, deputy undersecretary of Agriculture, wrote. “Accordingly, States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025.” Penn warned that states could face penalties if they do not comply.
The dispute follows court rulings last week that allowed states to issue full benefits during the ongoing government shutdown, after nonprofits and Democratic attorneys general sued to maintain the program. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson paused those rulings Friday night while the Supreme Court considered the Trump administration’s appeal.
Democratic and Republican leaders alike criticized the administration’s directive.
“It’s one thing if the federal government is going to continue its level of appeal through the courts to say, no, this can’t be done,” U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said. “But when you are telling the states that have said this is a significant enough issue in our state… those states should not be penalized.”
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said the SNAP benefits had already been processed and placed on EBT cards before the Supreme Court order. “Massachusetts residents with funds on their cards should continue to spend it on food,” she said. “President Trump should be focusing on reopening the government that he controls instead of repeatedly fighting to take away food from American families.”
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers warned that frozen reimbursements could leave 700,000 residents without food and trigger “catastrophic operational disruptions.” “Pursuant to and consistent with an active court order, Wisconsin legally loaded benefits to cards, ensuring nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites, including nearly 270,000 kids, had access to basic food and groceries,” he said.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore added that the Trump administration’s changing guidance was creating “chaos” for states. “There is a chaos, and it is an intentional chaos, that we are seeing from this administration,” he said.
