As the government shutdown enters its second month, the Trump administration is intensifying its scrutiny of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s largest food aid initiative. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has emphasized the administration’s focus on eliminating fraudulent use, particularly by undocumented immigrants, by asserting that extensive data reviews have uncovered significant instances of abuse. However, only 29 states have complied with the administration’s request for comprehensive data on SNAP recipients, revealing a lack of full cooperation. This lack of compliance has complicated the administration’s efforts to implement stricter oversight measures.
Under former President Joe Biden, federal spending on SNAP reached record highs, exceeding $128 billion annually due to pandemic-era aid expansions. Last year alone, the program cost $99.8 billion, with monthly benefits averaging $187 per participant. With 41.7 million Americans relying on SNAP benefits each month, the program has become a focal point in the legal and political battles over government spending during the shutdown. Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled that the Trump administration must use emergency funds to finance SNAP, highlighting the critical role the program plays in supporting vulnerable populations.
Rollins highlighted that her department’s findings have prompted the removal of approximately 700,000 individuals from the program since the Trump administration took office. Additionally, the administration has reported the arrests of 118 individuals and the discovery of 5,000 deceased individuals still receiving benefits. These figures underscore the administration’s claim of significant misuse, though they also raise questions about the accuracy of the data and the potential impact on legitimate recipients. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed optimism that SNAP funding could resume as early as Wednesday, though the formal approval process remains pending. The administration’s push to restrict SNAP eligibility reflects broader ideological debates over government assistance and the need to balance support for the poor with measures to prevent fraud and abuse.