Gov. Newsom, AG Bonta sue Trump administration over SNAP benefits
The California leaders accuse the Trump administration of unlawfully cutting vital food assistance for millions of low-income families during the shutdown.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Tuesday that more than 20 states, including California, are filing lawsuits against the Trump administration over the impending suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits next month.
The lawsuit alleges that the government shutdown, now in its 28th day, has not affected funding allocated to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The lawsuit alleges that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is unnecessarily suspending SNAP benefits for November at the behest of President Trump.
“While Donald Trump travels the world trying to repair the economic damage caused by his incompetence, he is starving millions of Americans who will go hungry next month,” Governor Newsom said. “This is cruel and demonstrates his lack of humanity. He doesn’t care about the citizens of this country, he only cares about himself.”
The lawsuit claims that this suspension is depriving 5.5 million Californians of $1.1 billion in food assistance.
Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following statement:
“Let’s be clear about what’s happening: For the first time ever, SNAP benefits will not be available to the millions of low-income individuals who depend on them to put food on the table. November SNAP benefits can and must be provided, even with the government shutdown. USDA not only has authority to use contingency funds, it has a legal duty to spend all available dollars to fund SNAP benefits. The Trump Administration, however, has chosen instead to play politics with this essential safety net that so many people depend on — including 5.5 million individuals in California alone. With the holidays around the corner, we are seeing costs for groceries continue to increase and food banks facing unprecedented demand. We are taking a stand because families will experience hunger and malnutrition if the Trump Administration gets its way.”
Governor Newsom’s office announced that the government is legally obligated to pay SNAP benefits, as Congress appropriated $6 billion in emergency SNAP funding to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through September 2026. This emergency funding was created to continue funding SNAP benefits in situations such as the current government shutdown.
Officials said the USDA has provided financial assistance to farmers and is temporarily funding WIC benefits during the shutdown. For his part, Governor Newsom asserted that President Trump is “simply choosing not to use this authority” to pay SNAP benefits to Americans.
“When families don’t know where their next meal will come from, our government has failed in its fundamental duty of care. The Trump administration’s decision to suspend already funded food assistance has plunged millions of Americans into fear and uncertainty. As a state, we know we must step up and address this situation.” – Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Senior Associate. We are acting for our families, our children, and the 5.5 million Californians who simply deserve the dignity of knowing they will have enough to eat.
Governor Newsom announced on October 22 that he would deploy the California National Guard and state volunteers on a humanitarian mission to assist food banks and would also expedite the release of more than $80 million in state aid.
President Trump has not issued a statement regarding this lawsuit.
