Multiple Republican states defy Trump's SNAP suspension despite Supreme Court hold

Republican states are defying a Supreme Court hold and Trump's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) suspension, paying out benefits for millions.

The president said he would suspend SNAP benefits until the government shutdown ended. In a post to Truth Social, Trump said payouts had increased by "billions" and that no more money would be sent out until "radical left Democrats" voted to open up government. The 41-day freeze is expected to end shortly, but Trump's order to refuse SNAP benefits has been ignored by some Republican states.

Trump wrote, "SNAP BENEFITS, which increased by Billions and Billions of Dollars (MANY FOLD!) during Crooked Joe Biden’s disastrous term in office (Due to the fact that they were haphazardly 'handed' to anyone for the asking, as opposed to just those in need, which is the purpose of SNAP!), will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT."

But a report from The Mirror US confirmed Republican-voting Kansas had continued to pay out on SNAP benefits, despite the Supreme Court ruling saying it wasn't required. New York, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Kansas, New Jersey, New Mexico, California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, and Massachusetts have all continued to pay out SNAP benefits during the hold.

It means Republican states Virginia, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, have issued SNAP benefits to residents. Wisconsin and Pennsylvania flipped Republican in the 2024 election, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers says he has no plans to recoup the November SNAP benefits paid out to members of the public.

A USDA memo reads, "States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025." Governor Evers responded with a simple "no" to this order. Democrats have also shared their defiance at reclaiming SNAP benefits paid out this month, with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy warning she would "see him [Trump] in court" if the president forced residents to pay back their benefits.

Governor Healy said, "President Trump wants to penalize states for preventing Americans from going hungry, we will see him in court." Those living in other states are still waiting on their SNAP payments, with funding for the program suspended on November 1 due to the government shutdown.