The Trump administration warned it may cut SNAP funding to 21 Democrat-led states, saying they failed to comply with new federal data rules.
On Tuesday, the Donald Trump administration threatened to cut benefits in 21 states ruled by the Democratic Party, claiming it has not complied with the federal government’s new directive on providing data on recipients on food aid.
Brooke Rollins, the Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture, said on Monday during the cabinet meeting that the Department might stop sending federal funds for SNAP benefits to at least 21 states ruled by the Democratic Party. Among the states that could lose SNAP funding from the federal government are New York and Minnesota.
The new federal SNAP data rules enforced by the Trump administration require states to provide timely, detailed recipient and eligibility information to ensure accurate verification and prevent fraud. The Trump administration claims that while the 29 ‘Red states’ have complied with the directive, 21 ‘Blue states’ have not.
“We have sent Democrat States yet another request for data, and if they fail to comply, they will be provided with formal warning that USDA will pull their administrative funds,” a spokesperson of Brook Rollins confirmed to Politico.
List Of 21 Blue States At Risk of Losing SNAP Funding
The 21 Blue states have filed a lawsuit against USDA to block its demand that states hand over detailed personal data. The lawsuit argues that the USDA under the Trump administration unlawfully demanded sensitive SNAP recipient data that federal law protects as confidential.
Also read: SNAP benefits schedule for December, check out payments dates in each state and new requirements
California — California has called USDA demand unlawful and privacy-threatening.
Arizona — Attorney General says the data demand violates state and federal law.
Colorado — Argued USDA request would improperly expose private recipient information.
Connecticut — Connecticut AG said the demand threatens immigrants and program confidentiality.
Delaware — Also opposed the request, arguing it violates privacy protections for SNAP recipients.
Hawaii — Hawaii AG warned the demand risks residents’ safety and violates law.
Illinois — Illinois has called the USDA demand overbroad and legally unsupported.
Maine — Maine AG said that states must protect confidential SNAP participant data.
Maryland — Attorney General argued the federal demand exceeded statutory authority.
Massachusetts — Attorney General described USDA request as unlawful and dangerous for families.
Michigan — Michigan said the demand would chill access to vital benefits.
Minnesota — Argued that the data grab violates privacy and state law.
Nevada — Nevada called USDA’s request unprecedented and legally flawed.
New Jersey — Joined the lawsuit saying the demand would jeopardize vulnerable residents’ privacy.
New Mexico — Characterized the request as illegal and threatening to immigrants.
New York — AG Letitia James filed suit; said the demand would endanger recipients’ privacy.
Oregon — Said USDA overstepped and violated confidentiality protections.
Rhode Island — Wwarned the request risks residents’ safety and legal rights.
Washington — Called the federal demand unlawful and harmful to communities.
Wisconsin — Argued USDA lacks authority to compel this sensitive data.
Kentucky — State officials said the demand conflicts with federal privacy rules.
The article originally appeared on Hindustan Times
