I led a coalition of 20 attorneys general in a new lawsuit challenging the USDA.
Trump is weaponizing private and sensitive personal information.
Here’s what’s happening:
When families apply for food assistance from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), they provide personal data on the understanding that their information won’t be used for unrelated purposes — an understanding backed by long-standing state and federal laws.
Now, the USDA is demanding that states turn over that personal data to the federal government — and threatening loss of SNAP funding if they don’t comply. In California alone, we’re talking about $1 billion a year that helps families buy groceries and put food on the table.
This is illegal, plain and simple — so I’m suing. If you’re with me, please sign my petition today.
ADD YOUR NAME
The idea that states would be forced to choose between protecting people’s privacy or helping them feed their families is despicable.
And let’s be clear: the reason the Trump administration’s USDA is demanding this data isn’t to root out waste or fraud — it’s to create a culture of fear.
If you can’t trust that your personal information will be kept private, you may well be unwilling to apply for essential services — even things like school lunches for your kids.
The rules are simple — federal and state privacy laws make it illegal to demand this kind of data sharing — and Trump doesn’t get to unilaterally change those rules, no matter how much he wants to.
California will not comply with this illegal bait and switch — and we’ll see the President in court.
If you agree that Trump needs to be held accountable for his blatant and continuing violations of the law and the U.S. Constitution, please add your name to stand with me today.
Thanks for speaking out with me.
-Rob
Rob Bonta
Attorney General of California
