Ankara: US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the distribution of food assistance benefits will resume only after Democrats agree to end the ongoing government shutdown. Trump criticized the previous administration for expanding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), suggesting it was excessively lenient.
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump made his statement on Truth Social, asserting that "SNAP benefits... will be given only when the radical left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before." He accused former President Joe Biden of mishandling the program by providing benefits to a broad array of individuals rather than focusing on those truly in need.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt clarified that Trump's remarks pertain to future SNAP payments. She emphasized that the President is reluctant to continuously draw from an emergency fund, underscoring the importance of preserving these resources for potential catastrophes. Despite a court order mandating the use of a contingency account for SNAP payments, Leavitt pointed out that the fund contains only $5 billion, insufficient to cover the $9 billion needed for all program benefits.
The comments coincide with the suspension of benefits for approximately 42 million Americans following the lapse of the assistance program due to the government shutdown, now in its 35th day. On Monday, an attempt by Democrats to restore full funding for SNAP was blocked by Senate Republicans.
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso criticized Democrats, stating, "If Democrats really wanted to help struggling families, they'd stop blocking a clean continuing resolution."
In response to legal orders, the Trump administration announced on Monday that it would release emergency funds to cover half of November's food assistance benefits. Previously, the administration resisted using emergency funds to maintain the SNAP program, citing a desire to reserve these resources for natural disasters and other emergencies, and claimed a lack of authorization for such expenditures.