Trump Administration Cannot Force States to Provide Food Stamp Data: Judge

Officials had threatened to cut off food stamp funding unless states provided records on applicants and recipients.

The Department of Agriculture in Washington on Feb. 17, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

The Trump administration cannot force states to provide data on people who applied for and received food stamps through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federal judge ruled on Feb. 26.

Demands by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in recent months for records that would enable officials to identify food stamp applicants and recipients, including their names and Social Security numbers, are likely contrary to the law that created and governs SNAP, U.S. District Judge Maxine Chesney in California said in a 22-page decision.