On Monday, November 10, 2025, a federal judge in Boston delivered a decisive blow to the Trump administration’s efforts to curtail food assistance for millions of Americans, continuing to block a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) directive that would have forced states to “undo” the issuance of full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the month of November. This ruling, echoed by a similar court decision in Wisconsin, has become the latest flashpoint in a nationwide legal and political battle over the future of America’s anti-hunger programs during a time of heightened need and political discord.
According to ABC News, Judge Indira Talwani did not mince words during a tense Boston hearing, rebuking the Trump administration for what she described as "trying to play vindictive games" with states that had already sent benefits to vulnerable residents. Her order ensures that, at least for now, millions who depend on SNAP—over 42 million Americans nationwide, including 1.1 million in Massachusetts—will continue to receive the support they need to put food on the table.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey was quick to respond to the ruling, confirming that SNAP payments had gone out over the weekend of November 8-9 following the court’s intervention. Addressing recipients directly, Healey stated, "The president may have made a choice to starve Americans, but I’m not going to let that happen here in Massachusetts." She urged people to ignore the ongoing legal threats and spend their benefits as usual, saying, "Forget the noise that you are hearing from Donald Trump. Forget the noise about further appeals to the Supreme Court. I want you to know because of the actions that we took, your SNAP benefits have been restored to your cards. Go out and buy the food you need to buy for your family."
While the courtrooms were filled with legal arguments and heated exchanges, the impact of the standoff was felt most acutely in communities across the country. In Chelsea, Massachusetts, Attorney General Andrea Campbell was on the ground handing out food and words of reassurance. "To anyone who is currently on SNAP benefits and you receive resources, use your resources, buy your groceries, buy everything that you would need to be able to sustain yourself in your families," Campbell told families gathered at a local food distribution event.
For recipients like Mark Hoffman, the uncertainty has been more than just a political tussle—it’s been a daily struggle. "It’s been tough not being able to get what I usually get, so you cut back," Hoffman shared. His words capture the anxiety of millions who, as the legal battle rages on, are left wondering if their next meal is guaranteed. "Let the money go. Don’t hold these people up. This is what these people depend on. If they don’t have it, they can’t eat," he added, summarizing the stakes in plain terms.
The tension is not confined to Massachusetts. In Wisconsin, a similar drama has unfolded. As reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a federal court there also temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s directive to reverse the state’s resumption of FoodShare benefits—the local name for SNAP. The move came after Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and attorneys general from 24 other states joined forces to ask the court for immediate relief, arguing that the administration’s actions were "arbitrary and capricious." Their petition underscored the urgency, stating, "(The Trump directive) underscores the arbitrary and capricious nature of their conduct in this matter and demonstrates the need for immediate relief."
Wisconsin officials had acted quickly in the wake of a federal ruling, loading debit cards for FoodShare recipients on Thursday night, November 6, to ensure families could purchase food. But the Trump administration was equally swift in its opposition, seeking to block the ruling and instructing the U.S. Treasury to reject Wisconsin’s request to reimburse retailers for these purchases. The federal government’s directive to "undo" the benefits—and threats to withhold funding for program administration—sparked outrage among state leaders.
Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin took his concerns directly to Washington, sending a letter on Monday to the state’s federal delegation. In his message, Evers implored the USDA to "stop trying to take food out of the hands of nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites, including about 270,000 kids." He added, "This deserves your immediate attention and action to ensure no further damage is inflicted upon the people of Wisconsin by the continued uncertainty and chaos being unnecessarily created by the Trump Administration."
The legal maneuvers in both Massachusetts and Wisconsin are part of a broader trend. With more than two dozen states joining the federal lawsuit, the fight over SNAP funding has become a test of state-federal relations and the limits of executive power during times of crisis. The Trump administration, for its part, has argued that states acted outside the bounds of federal guidance, while state officials counter that the administration’s attempts to claw back benefits are both punitive and harmful to the most vulnerable Americans.
In the midst of this turmoil, local organizations have stepped up to fill the gaps. The United Way Fund, in partnership with the Healey administration in Massachusetts, has raised $5.6 million to support food pantries—a vital lifeline for families facing uncertainty. These efforts highlight the resilience and solidarity of communities, even as political leaders spar in courtrooms and press conferences.
For those who rely on SNAP or FoodShare, the outcome of these legal battles is not just a matter of policy—it’s a question of daily survival. As state officials and advocacy groups continue to press for stable funding, many recipients are left hoping that the courts’ interventions will hold, and that their basic needs will not become bargaining chips in a larger political game.
As the story develops, the eyes of the nation remain fixed on the courts and on the leaders tasked with ensuring that no American goes hungry. The stakes, as the past week has made clear, are nothing less than the health and dignity of millions of families.
