Trump Says Emergency Funds Must Be Preserved for National Catastrophes
Reporters raise their hands to ask questions as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks to reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The White House confirmed Tuesday that millions of Americans will still receive partial food assistance this month, even after President Trump warned on social media that he could withhold Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds until the government is reopened.
Earlier in the day, President Trump wrote on Truth Social that SNAP payments would only be released “when the Radical Left Democrats open up government.” The post sparked confusion among recipients and prompted swift clarification from both the administration and lawmakers, according to Politico.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture had already directed states to distribute half of November’s SNAP benefits using emergency funds. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is complying with a federal court order requiring those payments.
“I just spoke to the president about it,” Leavitt said. “The recipients of these SNAP benefits need to understand it’s going to take time to receive this money because the Democrats have forced the administration into a very untenable position.”
Leavitt clarified that President Trump’s comments referred to future funding for the program. “He does not want to keep draining the emergency fund that’s meant for national disasters or crises,” she explained.
The ongoing legal dispute stems from a recent court order mandating that the administration provide at least partial SNAP payments during the government shutdown. Plaintiffs in that case filed a new motion Tuesday, arguing that offering only half benefits is “arbitrary and capricious” and would cause immediate harm to families. Judge John McConnell Jr. is scheduled to hold a hearing on the issue Thursday.
Following President Trump’s post, Democratic lawmakers warned that failing to comply with the court order could escalate tensions further. “If he continues to ignore the courts, then we’re in a full-blown constitutional crisis,” said Sen. Chris Murphy. “The president doesn’t get to pick and choose which court orders he complies with.”
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