The Trump administration has curtailed distribution of SNAP benefits to millions of Americans amid a government shutdown triggered by disputes over Affordable Care Act subsidies. The Supreme Court temporarily allowed the withholding of these benefits, increasing food insecurity for many families. Public polling shows strong bipartisan support for the program.
Last week, President Donald Trump issued an executive order declaring November 2 to 8 as 'anti-communism week,' stating: 'We renew our national promise to stand firm against communism, to uphold the cause of liberty and human worth, and to affirm once more that no system of government can ever replace the will and conscience of a free people.'
The government shutdown stemmed from Trump's opposition to including health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act in the funding package. As a result, the Department of Agriculture curtailed SNAP benefits distribution. The administration appealed lower-court rulings that ordered payments and instructed states to recoup aid distributed after an appeals court denied the federal request to overturn those rulings. On November 14, 2025, the US Supreme Court placed a hold on the lower-court decisions, temporarily permitting the benefits to be withheld.
Polling data indicates roughly four in five Americans strongly support SNAP, with 69 percent of Republican voters in favor and 77 percent expressing concern over potential cutoffs due to the shutdown. This has left millions of Americans more food insecure.
Amid the shutdown, Trump threatened unpaid air traffic controllers via social media: 'All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially “docked,”' and 'REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY.' Public response has shown support for federal workers, with donations to food banks and free meals provided by restaurants and grocery stores in cooperation with DoorDash.
The shutdown's impacts extend to foreign policy, where the administration's approach to suspected drug-running ships has drawn international criticism, including curtailed intelligence-sharing from the UK. On November 4, elections reflected public rejection of Trumpism, and Trump faced boos from tens of thousands at a Washington Commanders football game.