A federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration to fully fund November SNAP benefits, rebuking officials for acting “arbitrarily and capriciously” and warning that millions had already missed payments. U.S. District Judge John McConnell said USDA must tap additional funds and deliver money to states by Friday, after the agency halted benefits amid the shutdown and proposed only partial aid from a $4.65 billion contingency pool. Nearly 42 million Americans rely on food stamps; administrative steps mean many may still wait days. The administration appealed to the First Circuit.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.