Trump wanted to use hungry Americans as a way to push back against Democrats.
“Congress put money in an emergency fund, and I don’t understand how this isn’t an emergency,” said U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani during a hearing for a lawsuit filed by Democratic officials from 25 states and D.C.
“Congress told you what to do if there’s no money.
You need to figure out how to stretch that emergency money for now,” she continued.
About 42 million Americans are set to lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits on November 1st because of the government shutdown.
At that point, many of them will go hungry.
Judge Talwani said the administration must find “an equitable way of reducing benefits” as the MAGA shutdown continues.
Trump’s U.S. Department of Agriculture is refusing to use the contingency funds because the White House is trying to pressure Democrats to give in and drop their demands for more support for the Affordable Care Act.
“That’s lawyering.
I want agency action, not lawyering,” said Talwani.
“If you don’t have money, you tighten your belt.
You are not going to make everyone drop dead because it’s a political game someplace,” she added.
Last week, Trump’s USDA announced it would not use the $5 billion contingency fund because it’s meant for unexpected events like natural disasters.
But the truth is, mass starvation is definitely an emergency. The USDA is playing politics. While the fund won’t cover the full $9.2 billion needed to pay for November SNAP spending, it can help feed many hungry people.
Judge Talwani should move forward and order the administration to distribute the funds right away.
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