The U.S. Supreme Court granted former President Donald Trump a temporary extension on Monday to keep payments from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — commonly known as food stamps — on hold, a move that will affect nearly 42 million Americans. The decision, which remains provisional, will keep the freeze in place until Thursday while the federal government presents arguments regarding the constitutionality of the cuts.
The suspension is part of a broader legal dispute between federal agencies and Trump’s new administration, which aims to redefine eligibility requirements for the program, particularly in states with high unemployment rates. The White House has defended the decision as a step toward “restoring fiscal responsibility” and “reducing welfare fraud,” though experts warn it could deepen food insecurity nationwide.
SNAP, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides monthly assistance to low-income households to purchase food. According to USDA data, more than 65% of beneficiaries are children, seniors, or people with disabilities. The ruling will immediately affect those expecting weekly deposits, especially in southern and midwestern states where program reliance is high.
Civil rights groups, including Feeding America and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling as “a dangerous display of institutional indifference.” They also warned of broader economic effects, noting that SNAP dollars often stimulate local economies.
Politically, the move has reignited debate over the government’s role in social protection. Democratic lawmakers condemned the freeze as “punishing poverty,” while Republicans praised it as a long-overdue reform to modernize federal benefits.
The Supreme Court is expected to issue a final decision by Friday, but the case has already highlighted growing tension between fiscal austerity and social welfare. Analysts suggest it could become one of the defining controversies of Trump’s renewed presidency.
If the suspension extends beyond this week, millions of families could experience food shortages, as inflation and cost of living remain at their highest levels in a decade.