A federal court has again blocked the Trump Administration’s efforts to require states to provide personal information about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applicants and recipients. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cannot collect these records without an agreed-upon protocol and supported states’ rejection of a USDA proposal that would have allowed sharing data with entities not involved in administering federal benefits.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who leads the state’s chief law enforcement office according to the official website, led a coalition in challenging the Trump Administration’s demand. “The President has made no secret of his desire to build a mass surveillance database using Americans’ personal, private data,” said Attorney General Bonta. “For a second time, we’ve secured a court order rebuffing the Trump Administration’s demands that states turn over data on SNAP recipients. Time and again, the President has broken the law, and time and again, we’ve stopped him in court.”
Governor Newsom also commented on the ruling: “California has once again blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to seize data about families who are simply trying to put food on the table. We will continue standing against this federal government’s attempt to weaponize hunger assistance to target vulnerable communities.”
SNAP is a federally funded program run by individual states that provides food assistance to millions of low-income families nationwide. Applicants supply their private information with assurances under federal law that it will not be used for unrelated purposes. The Trump Administration had threatened to withhold administrative funding from states refusing its demand for access to this data.
Attorney General Bonta has previously taken legal action against similar moves by the Trump Administration regarding SNAP benefits and eligibility requirements for certain non-citizens. In multiple cases, courts found in favor of California, blocking attempts by federal officials deemed unlawful or contrary to established guidance.
The California Attorney General’s office plays a key role in enforcing state laws, protecting public rights and safety, and advancing policies in civil rights and consumer protection as outlined on its official website. The office operates statewide as part of California’s executive branch and promotes transparency through tools like OpenJustice.
SNAP remains fully funded through September 2026.
