A federal judge recently sided with 20 Democratic states, halting an attempt by the Trump administration to impose several conditions on states for receiving funds from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). U.S. District Judge Myong Joun granted a preliminary injunction against the conditions, which included restrictions related to gender ideology, immigration, and athletic opportunities for women and girls. The judge plans to issue a memorandum to elaborate on the decision.

The lawsuit by the states argued that the Agriculture Department imposed unconstitutional and unlawful barriers that threaten essential nutrition support, agricultural research, and national food safety. These programs are crucial for states that depend on them. Government lawyers opposing the injunction claimed the new requirements aimed to ensure taxpayer dollars were used responsibly, enhancing USDA’s oversight and ensuring compliance with federal rules.

SNAP, a significant element of the U.S. social safety net, assists around 39 million Americans, equating to about 1 in 9 individuals, in purchasing groceries. From January 2025 to January 2026, the number of participants fell by nearly 4.3 million, based on preliminary data from the Agriculture Department. Experts attribute this decline primarily to new requirements introduced by a substantial tax and spending cut bill advocated by Republicans in Congress last summer.