The Trump administration has declared that Democratic-led states refusing to hand over personal data on recipients of federal food assistance will face financial penalties, directly challenging a recent federal court order.
USDA Demands Data, Defies Court Injunction
On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reiterated its demand for states to provide detailed personal information on individuals enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The requested data includes names and Social Security numbers. The agency's stated goal is to identify and remove people from the program it claims are receiving benefits fraudulently.
This move comes despite a federal court granting an injunction in October at the request of several Democratic states, which temporarily blocked the USDA's data demand. Brooke Rollins, the acting head of the USDA, stated that non-compliant states would face consequences regardless of the court's action. "As of next week we have begun and will begin to stop moving federal funds into those states until they comply," Rollins said during a White House briefing.
Administrative Funds at Stake, Not Food Benefits
A USDA spokesperson later clarified that the funds to be withheld are administrative dollars, not the money that pays for the actual food benefits. The federal government covers the full cost of SNAP benefits but splits the administrative costs of running the program with the states.
"USDA established a SNAP integrity team to analyze not only data provided by states, but to scrub all available information to end indiscriminate welfare fraud," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson accused 19 states led by Democrats of protecting "illegals" and "criminals" by withholding the data.
The spokesperson confirmed that a final request for data has been sent, and states that fail to comply will receive a formal warning before their administrative funds are pulled.
Broader Political and Financial Context
This conflict unfolds against a backdrop of intense political debate over the SNAP program, which provides crucial support to more than 42 million Americans in approximately 22 million households, with average benefits around $350 per month.
The program was a flashpoint during last month's government shutdown when the administration declined to use a contingency fund to pay November benefits. Furthermore, states are facing increased financial pressure due to recent Republican tax legislation. In the coming years, states will be required to shoulder 75% of SNAP administrative costs, up from 50%, and as much as 15% of the benefit costs themselves.
The administration's stance has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, accused Rollins of ignoring the law. "Her disregard for the law and willingness to lie through her teeth comes from the very top," Craig said in a statement, blaming the administration's tariffs and economic policies for increasing the need for food assistance.
