A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to immediately resume full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, after weeks of delays caused by the ongoing government shutdown.

Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island issued the ruling, sharply criticizing the administration for what he called unnecessary disruption to a program that helps roughly 42 million low-income Americans. The order marked his second rebuke of the federal government in just one week.

“This should never happen in America,” Judge McConnell said from the bench during a tense hearing. He gave the government until Friday to release the food stamp payments, warning that millions could go hungry if the funds were not restored quickly.

According to the judge, the administration had failed to follow his earlier order to restart the program, which was halted on November 1 — one month after the shutdown began. He attributed part of the delay to what he described as political maneuvering.

The SNAP program provides financial assistance to about one in eight Americans. With the shutdown already the longest in U.S. history, funding disruptions had left states, cities, and nonprofit groups scrambling to provide food relief to those in need.

The lawsuit that prompted the ruling was brought by a coalition of city governments, religious organizations, and charities. They argued that the White House’s refusal to release SNAP funds violated federal law and placed millions of families at risk.

Spokespeople for the White House, the Department of Agriculture, and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the ruling.

This is not the first time courts have intervened over the issue. On October 31, the day before the shutdown took effect, two other federal judges had ordered the USDA to use discretionary funds to maintain food assistance benefits. The administration argued it could not legally do so, citing the Antideficiency Act, which forbids government spending without an approved appropriation from Congress.

In a memorandum opposing the earlier rulings, the USDA stated, “Plaintiffs appear to ask the Court to order USDA to unsuspend allotments and let the system run with full benefit amounts no matter the absence of funds for such benefits. But that is no option at all. That would be a blatant violation of the Antideficiency Act.”

The government has already filed an appeal to the latest order with the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals. Officials said they are reviewing the decision and exploring legal avenues to balance court orders with the limits of federal funding law.

The clash highlights growing tension between the courts and the executive branch over how far the administration can stretch its authority during a shutdown. Judge McConnell’s ruling was another sign that the legal pressure on the government is mounting, as public concern continues to grow over the economic toll of the stalemate.

Food banks, churches, and local organizations have reported surges in demand as federal programs pause payments. While private groups have stepped in temporarily, most say they cannot sustain those efforts if the impasse continues.

The order forces the USDA to act fast. By Friday, the agency must resume payments nationwide or risk further legal consequences. The decision could have major financial and political repercussions, especially as Congress remains locked in debate over funding priorities.

For now, the court’s move represents a rare but significant intervention into one of the most contentious shutdown battles in years. The next step depends on whether the administration complies — or challenges — before time runs out.