The Trump administration has issued a stark ultimatum to several Democratic-led states: hand over detailed data on recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme (SNAP), or face a suspension of federal administrative funds for the programme. The warning, delivered by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, could see action taken as early as next week.
A Demand for Data and a Threat of Withheld Funds
Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Secretary Rollins stated that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires comprehensive data from each state to "root out this fraud" within SNAP, commonly known as food stamps. The requested information is reported to include sensitive details such as immigration status and social security numbers.
Rollins claimed that 29 states, predominantly Republican-led, have complied with the federal request. However, she identified 21 states, including major Democratic strongholds like California, New York, and Minnesota, as continuing to refuse cooperation. "As of next week, we have begun and will begin to stop moving federal funds into those states until they comply," Rollins declared.
Political Battle Lines Drawn Over Welfare Integrity
In a subsequent statement to the Guardian, a USDA spokesperson framed the dispute in starkly political terms, accusing the non-compliant states of choosing "to protect illegals, criminals and bad actors over the American taxpayer." The spokesperson confirmed that formal warnings would be issued to states failing to provide the data, leading to the withdrawal of their administrative funds.
The administration's stance has ignited fierce opposition from Democratic officials. In July, over a dozen Democratic senators wrote to Rollins, labelling the data collection effort an "unlawful privacy violation." Reacting to the latest threat, New York Governor Kathy Hochul asked on social media, "Why is the Trump administration so hellbent on people going hungry?"
Critics Decry 'Weaponisation' of Essential Aid
Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee issued a sharp rebuke, stating, "Yet again, Trump and Rollins are illegally threatening to withhold federal dollars." They emphasised that SNAP has one of the lowest fraud rates of any government programme.
Ranking member Angie Craig echoed this, accusing the Secretary of "once again weaponizing hunger" for political gain. Craig asserted the administration was putting "political talking points ahead of feeding seniors, children, veterans and Americans with disabilities," calling it "as corrupt as it is lawless."
The stakes are high for the vital programme. According to official SNAP data, nearly 42 million people relied on the assistance each month in fiscal year 2024, with 67% of participants being children, elderly adults, or adults with disabilities.
While Rollins has previously called SNAP "extremely corrupt," a 2023 USDA factsheet reported that the "majority of SNAP benefits are used as intended." Enforcement data from that year showed that of 261,770 authorised retailers, only a small fraction faced penalties: 1,980 were disqualified, 561 were fined, and 1,681 received warning letters.
The administration has not yet released a full list of states targeted under this funding threat, setting the stage for a significant legal and political confrontation over welfare, privacy, and federal authority.
