The Trump administration on Friday asked an appeals court to immediately block an order that requires full November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamp, benefits to be paid to states by Friday.

The emergency request to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals calls the lower court's order “unprecedented,” saying it makes “a mockery of the separation of powers.”

“This is a crisis, to be sure, but it is a crisis occasioned by congressional failure, and that can only be solved by congressional action,” the Justice Department wrote in its motion.

It asked for a ruling by Friday afternoon. The 1st Circuit ordered the cities and private organizations suing to respond in writing by noon ET.

One day earlier, U.S. District Judge John McConnell ruled the administration’s

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