US President Donald Trump has instructed his administration`s lawyers to seek clarification on how the government can "legally fund" the food stamp benefits during the shutdown after two US federal judges ruled to tap into the emergency funds to cover benefits for November. Trump argued that the government do not have the "legal authority" to pay for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). He urged Democrats to "cut the charade" and "reopen the government.

"Our Government lawyers do not think we have the legal authority to pay SNAP with certain monies we have available, and now two Courts have issued conflicting opinions on what we can and cannot do. I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. He further said, even if he receives immediate guidance from the court, there is still not enough time to provide aid for November.