WASHINGTON — Two federal judges ruled the Trump administration’s decision to suspend food-aid benefits for tens of millions of Americans during the government shutdown is likely unlawful and that U.S. officials must use contingency funding to at least partially keep the program operational.

U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island on Friday, Oct. 31, announced in court that he would order the U.S. Department of Agriculture to distribute a pool of contingency money “as soon as possible” for November benefits. He also urged the administration to explore tapping other sources of federal dollars to ensure the program is fully funded.

Minutes earlier in Boston, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued a written ruling that rejected the administration’s stance that it is legally bar

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