Two federal judges ruled the Trump administration’s decision to suspend food-aid benefits for tens of millions of Americans during the government shutdown is likely unlawful and that US officials must use contingency funding to at least partially keep the program operational.

The written order came one day after a court told the Trump administration it must pay benefits in the program known as SNAP during the shutdown.

US President Donald Trump appeared to issue a lifeline Friday for low-income Americans reliant on food aid, saying he does not want them to "go hungry" a day before some

U.S. District Judge John McConnell said that he will block the Trump administration from suspending SNAP benefits during the shutdown.

President Donald Trump's administration cannot suspend food aid for millions of Americans during the ongoing government shutdown, two federal judges ruled on Friday, saying the government must use contingency funds to pay for the benefits.

U.S District Judge John McConnell's ruling from the bench came shortly after another federal judge in a separate case said that the Trump administration's plan not to pay out SNAP benefits beginning on Nov.

Two federal judges on Friday said the Trump administration can’t withhold food benefits next month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has claimed it can’t send out Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in November because of the government shutdown.