A noteworthy achievement of the Trump administration highlights reforms to the country’s primary food assistance initiative.
During an interview with Fox News, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins revealed that nearly 3.3 million individuals have been removed from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) since President Donald Trump assumed office.
Rollins noted, “It was incredible news yesterday, a real testament, I think, to this president’s leadership and vision that we have to protect the taxpayer.” She emphasized the need for federal programs to serve their intended purpose effectively.
She mentioned that the government shutdown last year brought attention to flaws within the system.
“I think the consequence of the shutdown last fall was a bright light was shown on a very broken program, and that is the food stamp SNAP program,” Rollins stated.
The decline in SNAP participants has been linked to the administration’s efforts to tighten eligibility criteria, address fraud, and promote work requirements where applicable. Rollins indicated that many individuals transitioning out of the program are finding jobs and achieving self-sufficiency.
“We moved 3.3 million people off of food stamps, into work, and into a better life of dignity,” she remarked in a different segment of the interview.
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Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins: “Since the president was sworn in, we moved 3.3M people off of food stamps, into work, and into a better life of dignity.”
“We’re making progress. We have a lot more to do. Obviously, Minnesota, California, New York are ground zero for… pic.twitter.com/Md1nyG07Vn
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Rollins also highlighted fraud as a significant issue influencing the administration’s actions, calling out states like Minnesota and California.
“The Minnesota case is just one of many examples,” she remarked, referring to a well-known fraud case that has garnered national attention.
This case relates to the “Feeding Our Future” scheme, where approximately $250 million intended for child nutrition was reportedly misappropriated through fraudulent meal claims.
There has been ongoing conflict with Minnesota regarding SNAP oversight. Federal officials had previously urged the state to swiftly verify tens of thousands of households due to fraud concerns; however, a federal judge blocked this move.
Additionally, there are insider fraud cases where authorized retailers manipulate the system. For instance, in May 2025, federal prosecutors in New York charged a USDA employee and others in a multimillion-dollar food stamp fraud scheme.
During the 2025 government shutdown, there were delays and partial payments of SNAP benefits, leading to legal challenges. Recently, tensions between the Trump administration and certain states have surfaced over requirements for data sharing and program management. Rollins affirmed that the administration’s efforts are ongoing.
“We’re making progress. We have a lot more to do,” she expressed. “Obviously, Minnesota, California, New York are ground zero for massive fraud, but we’re working on it, and I think we’re going to make great progress in the years to come.”
