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 US officials must use contingency funding to at least partially keep the program operational.

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to continue paying for food stamps during the government shutdown. The judge sided with nonprofits and local officials who had warned that many poor Americans rely on the benefits to buy groceries.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said he had instructed his lawyers to ask for clarification regarding court rulings that barred the Trump administration from suspending food aid during the ongoing government shutdown.

U.S. District Judge John McConnell said that he will block the Trump administration from suspending SNAP benefits during the shutdown.

Two federal judge have ruled that the Trump administration must continue to fund the SNAP food aid program using emergency reserve funds during the government shutdown

President Donald Trump's administration cannot suspend food aid for millions of Americans during the ongoing government shutdown, two federal judges ruled on Friday, saying the government must use contingency funds to pay for the benefits.

Judges blocked the Trump administration from halting SNAP aid during the shutdown, ordering the use of contingency funds to keep payments going.