Trump asking court how to "legally fund SNAP" after judge's order

The Trump administration must continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown, a federal judge in Rhode Island ruled Friday, according to multiple outlets.Why it matters: Roughly 42 million Americans are set to lose their supplemental food benefits Saturday — and it's unclear if Friday's ruling will be enacted fast enough to guarantee recipients get their money in time.Judge John James McConnell Jr. ruled Friday that the administration must fund SNAP, and asked for progress report by Monday, according to news reports."There is no doubt and it is beyond argument that irreparable harm will begin to occur if it hasn't already occurred in the terror it has caused some people about the availability of funding for food, for their family," McConnell said from the bench, according to NBC.What they're saying: "I applaud the court for its quick action to provide immediate, emergency relief to more than 42 million Americans," Diane Yentel, president of the National Council of Nonprofits, a plaintiff in the suit said in an emailed statement."For now, these families can continue putting food on their tables, and thousands of nonprofit food banks, pantries and other organizations across the country can avoid the impossible burden that would have resulted if SNAP benefits had been halted.State of play: McConnell's ruling came down the same day that Massachusetts District Judge Indira Talwani ruled that the administration had to provide "at least reduced SNAP benefits for November," and to report back to the court with their plan no later than Monday.In that case, 25 Democratic-led states and Washington, D.C. had sued the Trump administration to force it to resume food stamp payments amid the ongoing government shutdown.Both lawsuits alleged the Trump administration is withholding up to $6 billion in emergency funds to sustain SNAP benefits.The other side: The administration has argued those funds aren't available because USDA may need them in the case of a natural disaster or other emergency. The White House declined to comment. USDA did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.Zoom in: McConnell rejected that argument, ruling that people in immediate need should be receiving those funds. "It's clear that when compared to the millions of people that will go without funds for food versus the agency's desire not to use contingency funds in case there's a hurricane need, the balances of those equities clearly goes on the side of ensuring that people are fed," he said, according to NBC.Even if the White House decides to comply with the courts' rulings and releases the funds, recipients are unlikely to receive their money by Saturday because states were previously told not to prep November benefits and would need time to catchup."Unequivocally, there will be delay," Lauren Bauer, a Brookings fellow who researches safety net policies, tells Axios.Zoom out: Democrats have tried to pin the expiring SNAP benefits on Republicans, accusing the Trump administration of "weaponizing hunger."Food banks already experienced a surge in people as millions of families prepared for benefits to freeze.Go deeper: What happens to SNAP benefits already loaded to EBT cards in NovemberEmily Peck contributed to this report.Editor's note: This story has been corrected to show the ruling was made Friday (not Thursday)

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