As a society, we should be judged by how we treat the most vulnerable among us. Across the board, Trump gets straight F's.

The latest example: The Trump administration is trying to raid the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program for the sensitive personal data of families who rely on it to get by. 

TANF provides critical cash assistance to lower-income families across the country, including 350,000 families in California every single month. The program ensures children don’t go hungry and helps struggling families get by. 

Recently, in a blatant and unlawful attempt to dramatically broaden their role in overseeing TANF, the Trump administration claimed it has the authority to share years' worth of TANF recipients’ most sensitive data. Social Security numbers, marital status, income data, and more — all of it they want to share with DHS and any other federal, state, or private entity it chooses. 

Trump doesn’t have that authority. So today I filed our 81st lawsuit against the Trump administration in 80 weeks, leading a multistate coalition of 23 attorneys general and two governors to put a stop to this cruel, unnecessary, and illegal mass surveillance effort. 

If this work is important to you, I’m personally asking you to help keep it going by making a donation today. Will you chip in any amount right now? 

Congress designed TANF 30 years ago in a way that specifically limits federal overreach and gives states the flexibility and autonomy to run their own anti-poverty programs. This administration is attempting to seize power that Congress never gave it — in violation of the laws Congress passed and the spending clause of the Constitution.

This is part of a pattern. This administration has tried to share unfettered  personal health data from HHS with DHS, seize information about millions of SNAP recipients, and is working on a mass surveillance effort using data from Americans who never consented to it. We’ve gone to court to stop it again and again — and we blocked both HHS’s attempt to share information with DHS and USDA’s demands for information about SNAP recipients.

People who are struggling shouldn't have to be afraid to turn to their government for help — to feed and clothe their kids, to keep a roof over their heads, or to get critical medical care. They shouldn't have to worry that accessing that help will result in the exploitation of their personal information. 

I’m running for re-election to continue my fight to hold this administration accountable and protect Californians’ rights and freedoms. Will you make a contribution to help power this work today? Please give $25 today:

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You have my word: I will never stop protecting Californians' personal and private data, and I’ll never stop pushing back against this president's mass surveillance efforts. 

I will never stop defending the rule of law, and I will always stand up for those who have the least.

—Rob

To contribute via check, please address to:
Rob Bonta for Attorney General 2026
c/o Deane & Company
1700 Tribute Road, Suite 201
Sacramento, CA 95815

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