Trump SNAP funding restrictions in MD, states halted by judge

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A federal judge sided with Maryland and a coalition of Democratic-led states on Friday, halting the enforcement of new conditions on billions of dollars of federal food assistance under the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Maryland was listed as a plaintiff in the coalition that included 20 states and Washington, D.C., all of which requested a preliminary injunction that was granted by Judge Myong J. Joun on June 5.

Attorneys general argued in a federal lawsuit filed in March that the conditions put at risk supports such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP — also known as food stamps — that millions of low-income families use to pay for food.

The USDA funding conditions include provisions that require states to certify compliance with policies related to gender ideology, immigration and “fair athletic opportunities for women and girls” that the states argue are vague, unconstitutional and unrelated to food and nutrition.

“The Trump Administration cannot make cruel funding restrictions without any basis in law or fact,” New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said in a March press release when the lawsuit was filed. “I will not let people go hungry because of the Administration’s latest effort to impose unrelated ideological conditions on essential services.”

In court filings, the USDA opposed the preliminary injunction, arguing that the requirements promote the “sound stewardship” of taxpayer funds, strengthen control and oversight and ensure that grant recipients are complying with federal laws.

The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday. A USDA spokesperson said the agency will not comment on pending litigation.

New York Attorney General Letitia James wrote on X, “We won a court order protecting billions of dollars in @USDA funding as our lawsuit continues. My office will keep fighting to protect New Yorkers and stop the federal government from punishing our state for refusing to bend.”

Congress appropriated billions of dollars in the 2025 fiscal year through USDA grant programs in New Jersey, the Attorney General’s Office said. They include:

• $1.93 billion in SNAP funds.
• $658 million for Child Nutrition Programs, which provide low-cost or free meals and snacks to children.
• $12 million for the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which distributes food to soup kitchens, pantries and other local organizations.
• $210 million for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, which provides food, nutrition education and support for eligible women, babies and children up to 5 years old.
• Funds for wildfire defense programs that aim to reduce wildfire risks.

The other plaintiffs are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

Joun, a judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, wrote that he would issue a memorandum of decision at a later date.

Reporting by Ashley Balcerzak, NorthJersey.com/USA TODAY via Reuters Connect.