In a move to counter what has been described as an unlawful action by the Trump administration, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, backed by a coalition of his counterparts from 22 other states and three governors, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Secretary Brooke Rollins. The complaint alleges that the USDA improperly suspended Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits amid the federal government shutdown, ignoring available contingency funds that could cover the costs. According to an announcement from the California Attorney General's office, the legal motion asserts that the USDA holds both the authority and the obligation to deploy its substantial contingency reserves to support SNAP benefits.
The legal action seeks an immediate restoration of funding for the program, which provides essential food benefits to roughly 42 million Americans, encompassing 5.5 million Californians. Attorney General Bonta was quoted as saying, "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," according to a press release issued by his office. Highlighting the urgency of the situation with the approaching holiday season, Bonta emphasized the increased grocery costs and soaring demand at food banks, framing the administration's decision as a political gambit rather than one grounded in the well-being of vulnerable populations.
Backing this standpoint, Governor Gavin Newsom also condemned the Trump administration's actions, stating, "It's cruel and speaks to his basic lack of humanity. He doesn't care about the people of this country, only himself," as reported in the same release. The USDA initially acknowledged that SNAP should continue through a government shutdown, especially given the roughly $6 billion in multi-year contingency funds at its disposal. However, an October 24 decision suspended the benefits indefinitely, a move counter to the USDA's earlier stance and one that the coalition argues is both illegal and a violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
SNAP benefits are critical for many demographics, with 63.2% of recipients in California being children or the elderly, and close to 85,000 veterans in the state also relying on the program for nutrition. The coalition litigating this issue comprises Attorney General Bonta and his counterparts from states like Arizona, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and more, alongside the governors of Kansas, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. They assert that the USDA's about-face contravenes its statutory responsibilities and undermines reasoned decision-making required by the APA. A motion for a temporary restraining order is also in the works, aiming to block the suspension order due to the substantial harm it poses to countless Americans.
Documents related to the lawsuit are public, with copies of both the legal filing and the request for the temporary restraining order accessible through the California Attorney General's website. As this case advances, it stands as the Trump administration's 45th legal challenge under Attorney General Bonta's watch, signaling a persistent battle over foundational safety nets in a time of crisis.
