President Trump announced on Truth Social that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would only be distributed “when the Radical Left Democrats open up government.” The statement came as funding for the program was set to expire over the weekend amid a second-month government shutdown.

Trump’s remarks criticized former President Joe Biden’s administration for increasing SNAP benefits “by Billions and Billions of Dollars (MANY FOLD!)” during his term, accusing officials of improperly distributing aid “to anyone for the asking” rather than prioritizing those in need. The president asserted that Democrats could end the shutdown “easily” but refused to act until they did.

The Trump administration informed a federal judge on Monday that it would partially resume SNAP benefits for November using $4.65 billion from a contingency fund, though details about payment timelines and amounts remained unclear. Two judges had previously ruled that SNAP benefits must remain funded during the shutdown.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., stated Democrats would not prioritize passing a GOP funding bill to end the standoff. Meanwhile, plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the administration argued that the partial benefit plan did not comply with court orders requiring immediate payments and full program funding. A federal judge in Rhode Island had previously directed the administration to explore alternative funds to sustain SNAP if Congress failed to act.

The White House declined to clarify Trump’s statement, directing inquiries to “the President’s truth.”