U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins wrote on X that “across 28 states, more than 500,000 individuals are using dummy social security numbers, over 350,000 are collecting benefits in multiple states, and nearly 200,000 dead people are collecting benefits,” as she criticized a federal judge’s order halting USDA from withholding administrative SNAP funding from Minnesota. Virginia Times could not independently verify Brooke Rollins’ fraud figures.
SNAP funding dispute: how the court order unfolded.
The clash began in December, when USDA sent Minnesota a letter directing the state to conduct in-person recertification interviews for roughly 100,000 SNAP households within 30 days, warning that penalties could follow if the state did not comply. Minnesota sued on Dec. 23, arguing the directive conflicted with federal rules and the state’s approved SNAP plan.
On Jan. 14, moments before a court hearing, USDA sent Minnesota an “enforcement” notice stating it was immediately withholding the federal share of Minnesota’s SNAP administrative costs for the first quarter of 2026, according to the case record.
U.S. District Judge Laura M. Provinzino then granted Minnesota a preliminary injunction on Jan. 16, temporarily blocking USDA from taking adverse action tied to the two letters while the lawsuit proceeds. The judge said Minnesota showed a likelihood of success on at least one Administrative Procedure Act claim and criticized USDA for failing to offer a reasoned explanation for the scope and urgency of its demands in the middle of an ongoing program. The ruling is laid out in a U.S. District Court order.
The order does not stop monthly SNAP benefits for recipients. It targets administrative funding used to operate the program, including eligibility work and oversight.
As the Minnesota case moves forward, Rollins is also using USDA’s platform to push a broader nutrition message. In a Jan. 20 press release, USDA said Rollins published an opinion piece in Fox News touting President Trump’s signing of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. USDA quoted her as saying: “The childhood health crisis currently facing our nation is nothing less than an existential threat. Over 75% of kids in America struggle with obesity, poor physical fitness, or related health challenges.” That release appears on the USDA press release.
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