Federal judge blocks Trump administration in SNAP recipient data acquisition

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration's effort to mandate Washington state to provide personal data from SNAP recipients. The Attorney General's Office joined a lawsuit after the U. S. Department of Agriculture sought sensitive information about approximately 900,000 residents. Attorney General Nick Brown hailed the ruling, stating it protects the privacy of low-income families reliant on the program.

The USDA's threats to withhold nearly $130 million in annual SNAP funding raised concerns about the potential impact on food security in the state. Washington's SNAP program serves tens of millions of low-income families nationwide, providing crucial support. The AG’s Office noted that any disruption in funding could be catastrophic for those who depend on it. This legal battle highlights the tension between state privacy rights and federal data collection demands. The ruling serves as a significant precedent in the ongoing debate over data privacy and government authority.