In a significant legal development, federal judges have intervened to prevent the Trump administration from halting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a vital food aid initiative relied upon by over 40 million low-income Americans. The decision comes amid an ongoing government shutdown that has now stretched into its second month. On Friday, a Rhode Island judge issued a temporary restraining order, deeming the administration’s plan to suspend SNAP benefits likely unlawful. This ruling followed a similar decision by a Massachusetts federal judge, who mandated that the administration must provide at least partial benefits, citing legal obligations. The US Department of Agriculture had earlier announced that SNAP funds would not be distributed in November, claiming the ‘well has run dry’ due to the shutdown. The program, which provides reloadable debit cards for purchasing essential groceries, is a lifeline for millions, with an average family of four receiving $715 per month. While some states have pledged to cover the shortfall using their own funds, the federal government has warned that reimbursements will not be made. Half of US states have sued the administration, urging it to tap into a $6 billion emergency contingency fund for SNAP. The Massachusetts judge has given the administration until Monday to report on whether it will authorize partial benefits for November. In Rhode Island, a lawsuit brought by cities and NGOs challenged the ‘unlawful suspension’ of the program, with plaintiffs hailing the ruling as a ‘lifeline’ for vulnerable populations. The case underscores the broader political stalemate over the shutdown, with Republicans and Democrats continuing to trade blame without meaningful progress toward a resolution.