New Delhi, Nov. 7 -- A federal judge on Thursday ordered President Donald Trump's administration to fully fund food assistance for 42 million low-income Americans by Friday for November, blocking its plan to issue reduced benefits during the ongoing government shutdown.

The ruling was issued by US District Judge John McConnell in Providence, Rhode Island, following a virtual hearing in a lawsuit filed by nonprofits and city governments. The plaintiffs sought to stop the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) from suspending payments under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.

McConnell, an Obama appointee, criticized the Trump administration's plan to provide partial funding, saying it violate...