The announcement continues a concerning trend of partisanship within the USDA, hurting its credibility and harming our farmers, rural communities, and those facing hunger
Late Friday afternoon, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced on X that USDA would halt current and future financial awards in Minnesota, effective immediately. Rollins claims the action was needed to “prevent continuing fraud,” without clarifying what USDA funding was frozen, nor providing any evidence of fraud related to the targeted funding. Now, four days later, the USDA still has not stated which programs will be affected. The announcement was the latest in a series of Trump administration actions targeting Minnesota, including an unprecedented violent surge by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, and a systematic effort by USDA to freeze anti-hunger funding in the state.
Throughout the fall, USDA has taken a series of actions threatening to suspend funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Minnesota. SNAP serves approximately 440,000 people in Minnesota, including children and the elderly. According to USDA, Minnesota’s error rate for SNAP payments is below the national average, and below 30 other states. USDA has repeatedly been thwarted by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison who has acted to protect the SNAP program in the state.
- In October, 22 states including Minnesota won a preliminary injunction blocking USDA’s attempts to gather new, in-depth personal information of SNAP recipients for purposes outside of the SNAP program. USDA had threatened to withhold SNAP funding unless states comply.
- On October 31, Rollins issued guidance that included the ending of SNAP payments to several categories of legal immigrants. States had until November 1 to comply or face fines. On November 26, Minnesota joined 22 other states in a lawsuit challenging the legality of the guidance. On December 10, the USDA reversed itself and issued new guidance, confirming that lawful permanent residents — including former refugees and asylees — were eligible for SNAP benefits, but the USDA continued to threaten fines for noncompliance. On December 15, a judge agreed with the states’ attorneys general and temporarily blocked efforts by the USDA to issue fines until the case is resolved.
- On December 16, USDA sent a letter to Minnesota claiming the state had to “recertify” the eligibility of almost 100,000 SNAP households through in-person interviews by January 15, 2026. The USDA threatened severe consequences if the state did not comply. On December 30, Minnesota’s Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit challenging USDA’s demand, stating it would require an impossible 60,000 overtime hours in Hennepin County alone to achieve. Attorney General Ellison argued that the state already certifies recipients and that the demand violates the Food and Nutrition Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.
Last week, a federal judge blocked another attempt by the Trump administration to freeze $10 billion in funds from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to five states, including Minnesota, supporting childcare and low-income family assistance. The HHS claimed it had frozen the funds based on allegations of fraud, but the states’ attorneys general claimed there was no proof of fraud.
Ellison has vowed to challenge Rollins’ latest threat to freeze Minnesota’s funds in court. Minnesota Representative Betty McCollum, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, said, “The Trump administration is using hunger and fear as weapons against Minnesotans. We remain united against this latest illegal attempt to target our state.”
Since Rollins took over at USDA early last year, there has been a noted shift in tone from the Department. Press releases read more like political campaign talking points, blaming the Biden administration for seemingly everything, ridiculing action to respond to climate change as the “Green New Scam,” or attacking state governments overseen by Democrats.
This type of open partisanship hurts the credibility of USDA, established by Abraham Lincoln as the Peoples’ Department that serves everyone, including farmers, rural communities, and those facing hunger. Repeatedly making accusations while providing no evidence, and then losing in court, hurts the reputation of the entire USDA. It also sets a dangerous precedent for future action by USDA, which manages a variety of programs that support farmers and rural communities.
Rollins should immediately reverse her threat to freeze Minnesota’s funds. How a state votes, or whether governmental leaders have personal disagreements, should not affect how USDA administers programs appropriated by Congress. So far, Congressional agriculture committees have neglected their oversight responsibilities, allowing USDA to act unfairly without accountability. That needs to change.
This second Trump administration has reached new heights of audacity, now apparently withholding federal funding as a means of collective punishment against Democrat-led states who’ve resisted their immigration policies. Politicizing the administration of any USDA program — whether it is for those facing hunger or farmers who are losing money — is wrong and sends us all in a dangerous direction.
To support food-insecure community members in Minnesota, donate to our partners at The Food Group or your local food shelf.
