President Donald Trump unloaded on Democrats — and posted Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) office number for anyone who wanted to complain — after federal judges weighed in on whether or not Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits could be allowed to lapse amid the ongoing government shutdown.
Two federal judges — U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Massachusetts and U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island — on Friday ordered the Trump administration to continue paying out SNAP benefits despite the government shutdown, with McConnell further ordering the administration to tap into emergency funds in order to pay out the benefits “as soon as possible.” Talwani’s order gave the administration until November 3 to come up with a way to fund the program, but did not specify where those funds should come from.
Trump pushed back in a post shared on Truth Social, saying that he was instructing his attorneys to find the fastest way to fund the program and make sure that people could receive the assistance they needed — but he also pointed out the fact that Democrats were continuing to block Republican efforts to reopen the government, thus creating the current quandary.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 31, 2025
“Our Government lawyers do not think we have the legal authority to pay SNAP with certain monies we have available, and now two Courts have issued conflicting opinions on what we can and cannot do,” Trump began his post, adding, “I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT.”
“Therefore, I have instructed our lawyers to ask the Court to clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible. It is already delayed enough due to the Democrats keeping the Government closed through the monthly payment date and, even if we get immediate guidance, it will unfortunately be delayed while States get the money out. If we are given the appropriate legal direction by the Court, it will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding, just like I did with Military and Law Enforcement Pay,” he continued.
“The Democrats should quit this charade where they hurt people for their own political reasons, and immediately REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT,” Trump concluded by referring people directly to Schumer’s office. “If you use SNAP benefits, call the Senate Democrats, and tell them to reopen the Government, NOW! Here is Cryin’ Chuck Schumer’s Office Number: (202) 224-6542.”
