**Trump Administration Demands States “Undo” SNAP Payments Amid Legal Battle**
The Trump administration is demanding that states “undo” full SNAP benefits paid out under recent court orders, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to stay those rulings. This latest development marks another swing in an ongoing legal struggle over the anti-hunger SNAP program, which serves 42 million Americans.
### USDA Orders States to Reverse SNAP Payments
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued the demand as more than two dozen states warned of “catastrophic operational disruptions” if the federal government does not reimburse them for SNAP benefits authorized before the Supreme Court’s stay. Many states are concerned about the financial fallout and logistical chaos that could ensue.
Nonprofits and Democratic attorneys general had successfully sued to force the Trump administration to maintain the program during the ongoing government shutdown. After favorable court rulings last week, benefits were released to millions in several states, with the administration later conceding the program could temporarily continue.
### Supreme Court Stays Orders, USDA Issues Warning
On Friday night, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a temporary pause on rulings that mandated SNAP disbursements while the Supreme Court considers the Trump administration’s appeal. In response, the USDA wrote to state SNAP directors on Saturday warning that the payments under prior orders are now considered “unauthorized.”
Patrick Penn, deputy undersecretary of Agriculture, wrote:
> “To the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized. Accordingly, States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025.”
Penn also noted that states could face penalties if they do not comply. At present, it remains unclear if the directive also applies to states using their own funds versus those relying solely on federal assistance. The USDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
### States, Senators Push Back Against Federal Directive
In a federal court filing Sunday, the USDA argued that states moved too quickly and erroneously released SNAP benefits after last week’s rulings.
Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski called the USDA directive “shocking,” especially if it targets states like hers that used state funds to backstop SNAP benefits.
> “When you are telling the states that have said this is a significant enough issue in our state, we’re going to find resources… those states should not be penalized,” Murkowski said.
### States Vow to Fight: “We Will See Him in Court”
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey stated that SNAP benefits were processed and placed on EBT cards before the Supreme Court stay, in line with the previous USDA guidance. She added:
> “If Trump attempts to claw back the money, we will see him in court. Massachusetts residents with funds on their cards should continue to spend it on food.”
Governor Healey criticized President Trump, urging him to focus on reopening the government instead of cutting off food support for families.
Democrats have argued that the administration could have preserved the SNAP program even during the shutdown. Senate lawmakers are developing a bipartisan package that would ensure full funding of SNAP programs and reimbursements for expenditures made during the shutdown.
### States Warn of “Catastrophic Operational Disruptions”
More than two dozen states, represented by Democratic attorneys general, noted in a court filing that even before the Supreme Court order, the Trump administration was refusing to reimburse them for legally-ordered SNAP payments.
For example, Wisconsin loaded benefits onto cards for 700,000 residents after a federal judge’s ruling. However, when the U.S. Treasury froze reimbursement, state officials warned they could run out of money imminently—potentially leaving vendors unpaid and triggering escalating legal disputes.
> “States could face demands to return hundreds of millions of dollars in the aggregate,” the court filing said, warning of “catastrophic operational disruptions” and a “cascade of harms” to residents.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers responded directly:
> “No. Pursuant to an active court order, Wisconsin legally loaded benefits to cards, ensuring nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites, including nearly 270,000 kids, had access to basic food and groceries.”
Evers added that the Trump administration, after states issued payments, assured they were “actively working to implement full SNAP benefits” but have failed to deliver.
### Frequent Policy Changes Causing Confusion
Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed frustration on CBS, stating:
> “In the past six days, we’ve received four different measures of guidance from the Trump administration… There is a chaos, and it is an intentional chaos, that we are seeing from this administration.”
The ongoing uncertainty leaves millions of SNAP recipients and state agencies in limbo, as the legal and political battle continues over the nation’s largest anti-hunger program.
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*Reporting contributed by Riccardi (Denver), Bauer (Madison, Wisconsin), John Hanna (Topeka, Kansas), and Lisa Mascaro (Washington, D.C.).*
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/09/trump-administration-states-undo-snap-payouts/
