Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Maintain Food Assistance During Government Shutdown

Washington:

A federal judge in the United States issued an order on Friday compelling the Trump administration to maintain emergency funding for a critical food assistance program that faced potential closure due to the ongoing government shutdown, according to court documents.

Rhode Island's Judge John J. McConnell directed the Department of Agriculture to access a $5 billion contingency fund to ensure continued payment of benefits. This program provides essential support to 42 million low-income Americans who struggle to afford groceries.

The month-long government shutdown had threatened to disrupt this vital aid program until the court's intervention mandated continued funding.