A federal judge has sided with 20 Democratic states, halting efforts by the Trump administration to enforce compliance with specific conditions tied to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). U.S. District Judge Myong Joun granted a preliminary injunction in the lawsuit challenging these conditions.
The judge plans to issue a memorandum later to explain his decision. The conditions in question involve restrictions on ‘gender ideology,’ ‘immigration,’ and ‘fair athletic opportunities’ for women and girls.
In the lawsuit, the states argued that the Agriculture Department has created unconstitutional and unlawful barriers between congressional programs and the states that depend on them. These barriers threaten essential nutrition support, agricultural research, and food chain safety.
Lawyers representing the government opposed the preliminary injunction. In their court filing, they claimed that the new requirements would promote sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars, strengthen USDA control and oversight, and ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and policies.
SNAP plays a crucial role in the U.S. social safety net, assisting about 39 million Americans, approximately 1 in 9, to purchase groceries. Recent data from the Agriculture Department shows a decrease in beneficiaries by 4.3 million from January 2025 to January 2026. Experts attribute this decline to new requirements imposed by a substantial tax and spending cut bill passed by Republicans in Congress last summer.
Warner Introduces Bill to Restrict Presidential Appointments in Intelligence 
New York City Mayor Endorses Progressive Candidates in Democratic Primaries 
New York Congressional Primaries Highlight Democratic Party Divide 
Bill Gates Discusses Concerns with House Committee 
U.S. Court of Appeals Allows Trump’s Expanded Deportations 
Cancer Death Rates Drop: Challenges in Addressing Disparities