Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta (Photo – ca.gov)
Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and over 20 states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for unlawfully withholding critical funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This decision has left millions of Americans, including 5.5 million Californians, without vital food assistance. The lawsuit follows a prolonged federal government shutdown, despite the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) having contingency funds that could support the program through November.
By News Desk
The administration’s refusal to release November SNAP benefits will cut $1.1 billion in food aid at a time when hunger and food insecurity are rising. For the first time in U.S. history, the USDA is withholding congressionally approved funds, creating uncertainty for vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and veterans.
Governor Newsom condemned the decision as “cruel,” accusing Trump of prioritizing politics over the well-being of Americans. “While Trump tries to repair the economic damage he’s done, he’s denying food to millions of Americans who will go hungry next month. It’s cruel and shows his lack of humanity,” Newsom said.
The Legal Battle
The lawsuit stresses the USDA’s legal obligation to ensure the continuity of SNAP benefits, especially when funds are available. Congress allocated $6 billion in contingency funding through September 2026 to prevent disruptions during emergencies, but the Trump administration has chosen not to use these funds for SNAP, despite funding other programs like agricultural assistance and WIC.
Attorney General Bonta called the administration’s decision “a political move,” saying, “For the first time ever, SNAP benefits will be unavailable to millions who rely on them. The USDA has a duty to fund SNAP with available dollars. If this continues, families will face hunger and malnutrition.”
State Response to Growing Crisis
While the federal government withholds aid, California is stepping in. Governor Newsom announced $80 million in state funding to stabilize food banks and mitigate delays in federal CalFresh benefits, California’s SNAP program.
Additionally, Newsom has mobilized the California National Guard and California Volunteers to assist food banks, echoing actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom emphasized, “When families don’t know where their next meal will come from, the government has failed its most basic duty. The Trump administration’s decision to withhold food assistance has left millions in fear and uncertainty.”
As the holidays approach, food banks across California and the nation face unprecedented demand, and advocates warn the Trump administration’s actions will deepen food insecurity. Without swift intervention, millions of families could face dire circumstances.
The outcome of this lawsuit could significantly impact the future of SNAP benefits and federal emergency relief programs, especially amid the ongoing government shutdown.
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