A political conflict over food assistance data has escalated between the Trump administration and several states.
US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has threatened to cut federal funding to states she alleges are refusing to share program data.
The dispute centers on information from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.
Rollins issued the warning directly to President Donald Trump during a White House Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
“The administration will begin to stop moving federal funds into those states starting next week until they comply,” Rollins stated.
Dispute Centers on State SNAP Data Sharing
Secretary Rollins asserted that her department needs comprehensive state-by-state data to combat fraud.
She claims the data is essential “to root out this fraud and to protect the American taxpayer.”
The USDA first requested this data from all 50 states in February of this year.
According to Rollins, 29 states, which she characterized as “red states,” have complied with the federal request.
She said 21 “blue states,” including California, New York, and Minnesota, have continued to refuse.
A USDA spokesperson later clarified that 28 states and the territory of Guam had provided their data.
The department has established a dedicated “SNAP integrity team” to analyze the information.
States that fail to comply will receive a formal warning before their administrative funds are pulled, the spokesperson said.
State Leaders Decry Threat as “Cruel” and Political
The threat prompted immediate and sharp criticism from governors of the affected states.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul responded to Rollins on social media platform X.
“Genuine question: Why is the Trump Administration so hellbent on people going hungry?” Hochul wrote.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey’s office stated it had not yet received any formal notice about withheld funds.
Healey nevertheless condemned the threat in a strong statement.
“The Trump Administration is once again playing politics with the ability of working parents with children, seniors and people with disabilities to get food,” Healey said.
She called the threat “truly appalling and cruel” and urged President Trump to order the immediate release of funds.
A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed deep skepticism about the administration’s intent.
“Cutting programs that feed American children is morally repugnant,” said spokeswoman Marissa Saldivar.
She added, “We no longer take the Trump Administration’s words at face value — we’ll see what they actually do in reality.”
The SNAP program provides crucial support to nearly 42 million people each month.
The majority of beneficiaries are children, elderly individuals, or people with disabilities.
USDA data from fiscal year 2023 indicates that the vast majority of SNAP benefits are used appropriately for food purchases.
