Attorneys general file temporary restraining order of ruling undoing SNAP funding

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Over the last week, SNAP benefits have been released in accordance with a ruling made by the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. But a new ruling made on Saturday by the Trump Administration is making states that have given out full SNAP benefits, to undo those funds, or get penalized. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has said this is wrong.

“Trump’s AG department has been essentially trying to force Minnesota to take food from the table of hungry families. Minnesota refused to do that, and Minnesota is standing firm with other AGs and advocates to stop Trump from threatening to retaliating against Minnesota,” said Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General.

Late Sunday evening, Ellison, along with 22 attorney generals and three governors have filed a temporary restraining order on the ruling. They say the order made on Saturday is contradictory of a ruling made the day before.

“It is not an abstraction, real people are hurting. They are hungry, they are facing impossibly difficult decisions. To take care of one of our basic human necessities, the need to eat,” said Leticia James, New York Attorney General.

Over 42 million people rely on the use of SNAP benefits. And while some states, including Minnesota, have fully funded many people’s benefits for the month of November, they are hoping to keep the food on the table.

“We’re in it for the long run, to stand up to the rule of law and American democracy. And that includes the lawful allotment of money, food, and resources by Congress to the people of this country. And we’re in it for the long game. So we’ll be here today, tomorrow, two years from now fighting for American democracy,” said Ellison.