Trump Admin affirms the founding fathers envisioned separation of powers as a way to f*ck poor people out of food [View all]

Trump admin fights order to pay SNAP benefits: 'Makes a mockery of separation of powers'

https://www.rawstory.com/trump-administration-food-stamps-mockery/

Trump's administration asked a court to block a federal judge's order to pay full food stamps benefits during the government shutdown.

U.S. District Judge John McConnell issued the order Thursday afternoon, following two weeks of confusion about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, but the administration asked the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals for an emergency stay.

"This is a crisis, to be sure, but it is a crisis occasioned by congressional failure, and that can only be solved by congressional action," the Department of Justice argued in the filing. "Instead, a single district judge has devised his own solution: ordering USDA to cover the SNAP shortfall by transferring billions of dollars that were appropriated for different, equally critical food-security programs — and to do so within just one business day (i.e., by today)."

"This unprecedented injunction makes a mockery of the separation of powers," DOJ added. "Courts hold neither the power to appropriate nor the power to spend. Courts are charged with enforcing the law, but the law is explicit that SNAP benefits are subject to available appropriations."