Trump administration warns of withholding SNAP funds from states with Democratic leadership

The Trump administration has indicated it may withhold federal SNAP food assistance from several Democratic-controlled states unless they provide detailed recipient information. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins stated on Tuesday that federal funding could be blocked as early as next week if these states continue to refuse federal requests for data, which includes immigration status and Social Security numbers.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting, Rollins emphasized that the USDA needs access to the information to identify fraud, ensure food assistance reaches those who truly need it, and protect American taxpayers. She highlighted that 29 states, largely Republican-led, have already complied, whereas 21 states, including California, New York, and Minnesota, have declined.

Rollins added: Starting next week, federal funds will begin to be withheld from states that do not comply, until they allow us to work with them to prevent fraud and safeguard taxpayer money.

In a statement to the Guardian, a USDA spokesperson noted that the agency had created a SNAP integrity team to review state data and other sources to prevent indiscriminate welfare fraud. Twenty-eight states and Guam have joined this effort, but states such as California, New York, Minnesota, and 19 other Democratic states continue to resist, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson accused these states of prioritizing illegal residents and other wrongdoers over the American taxpayer and stated that formal warnings will be issued if they fail to comply.

The administration has not published a complete list of states that would be affected under this plan. Earlier, over a dozen Democratic senators sent a letter to Rollins, describing the administrations attempt to create a federal database of SNAP recipients as an unlawful privacy violation.

The announcement has drawn criticism from Democratic leaders. New York Governor Kathy Hochul questioned the policy on social media: Why is the Trump administration so determined to let people go hungry?

Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee also condemned the plan. They argued that SNAP, which has one of the lowest fraud rates of government programs, is being politicized. Committee member Angie Craig stated that the administration is prioritizing political messaging over feeding seniors, children, veterans, and Americans with disabilities, calling the Trump administration corrupt and lawless.

According to SNAP data, nearly 42 million people relied on the program each month in fiscal year 2024. About 67% of participants were children, elderly adults, or adults with disabilities. Despite Rollins previously calling the program extremely corrupt, a 2023 USDA report showed that most benefits were used correctly. Out of 261,770 authorized retailers, only 1,980 were disqualified, 561 were fined, and 1,681 received warning letters that year.

Author: Sophia Brooks