A federal judge ordered U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to fully fund this month’s food aid for 42 million low-income Americans by Friday, blocking its plan to only provide reduced benefits during the government shutdown.

U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Providence, Rhode Island accused the administration of withholding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, known as SNAP or food stamps, for “political reasons” as he ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund the program so people get 100% of their benefits.

“The evidence shows that people will go hungry, food pantries will be overburdened, and needless suffering will occur,” McConnell said during a virtual court hearing on Thursday. “That’s what irreparable harm here means.”

The Trump administrati

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