Trump demands Democrats open government as SNAP benefits could deplete U.S. emergency fund, Leavitt says

The Trump administration is “fully complying” with a federal court order to use emergency funds to continue the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), even as President Donald Trump simultaneously demands Democrats reopen the government.

“We are digging into a contingency fund that is supposed to be for emergencies, catastrophes, for war, and the president does not want to have to tap into this fund in the future, and that’s what he was referring to in his Truth Social post,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in briefing Tuesday afternoon.

In a Tuesday morning Truth Social post, Trump announced SNAP benefits will “only be given when the Radical Left Democrats open up government.”

Leavitt said the timing of the post intentionally correlates with an announcement from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on “how to get the money” to SNAP recipients.

“This will be a cumbersome process, including revised eligibility systems, State notification procedures, and ultimately, delayed benefits for weeks, but we will help States navigate those challenges,” USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a post on X.

On Friday, U.S. District Chief Judge of Rhode Island John J. McConnell Jr. ordered the Trump administration to distribute SNAP funds “from emergency reserves” and “submit a plan” or “update” on how to do so by noon on Monday, NPR reported.

In compliance with the court order, Rollins announced on Monday that full Women, Infant and Children (WIC) benefits will be delivered to the states, as well as “partial allotments to SNAP households.” The administration promised to use “all $4.65 billion in contingency funds,” which will only cover half of each household’s benefits, according to NBC.

“It will take several weeks to execute partial payments,” Rollins said. “THIS MUST END. Senate Democrats need to quit the games, quit holding American families hostage to ridiculous demands like health care for illegals, and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT. Once they do, FULL benefits can get to families without delay.” 

She said the president is “doing everything he can to help our most vulnerable mothers and babies.” 

Leavitt said executing the plan to distribute the appropriate funds “is going to take some time” and Trump does not want to continually deplete the emergency contingency fund. The quickest and best solution to aid SNAP recipients is for Democrats to reopen the government, she said.