Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• California CalFresh officials halt new benefit applications due to shutdown-related federal reimbursement freeze — California state officials have announced that new CalFresh (California's SNAP equivalent) applicants will not receive benefits after mid-October because the Trump shutdown has halted federal reimbursements to the state. The state serves 5.5 million people through CalFresh.
• USDA refuses to deploy contingency accounting tools during federal shutdown, risking SNAP benefit disruptions — The Trump administration's USDA has declined to use accounting mechanisms that previous administrations employed to maintain SNAP contingency reserves, citing a Government Accountability Office determination that such tools are "illegal." With the federal shutdown ongoing and the contingency reserve depleted to $5–6 billion (roughly three weeks of coverage for 42 million beneficiaries), state SNAP agencies face frozen federal reimbursements and furloughed tech staff. Pennsylvania, California, and Texas have warned that November benefits may not be issued if the shutdown continues past October 27.
• Federal shutdown halts SNAP administrative operations and system maintenance across state agencies — The ongoing federal shutdown has frozen funding for state SNAP office staff who process applications and handle beneficiary inquiries, and furloughed federal tech teams responsible for EBT system updates, fraud prevention, and monitoring. Pennsylvania reported that thousands of families calling the state SNAP helpline encounter busy signals, and state officials warned that if the shutdown extends past October 27, November benefits will not be issued.
• Pennsylvania SNAP officials warn of benefit suspension for nearly 2 million residents if shutdown continues past October 27 — Pennsylvania state officials have notified the public that if the federal shutdown persists beyond October 27, the state will be unable to issue November SNAP benefits to nearly 2 million residents, including 800,000 children. The warning reflects the state's dependence on federal reimbursement for benefits already distributed and the depletion of contingency reserves.
• Texas SNAP officials warn of benefit payment suspension if shutdown continues past October 27 — Texas state officials have notified 3.5 million SNAP beneficiaries that if the federal shutdown persists beyond October 27, benefit payments will cease. The warning reflects the state's inability to continue distributing federal funds without federal reimbursement.

Supporting reports

• Department of Homeland Security purchases two Gulfstream jets for $172 million during shutdown — Despite the ongoing government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security has purchased two Gulfstream private jets for $172 million for use by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other DHS officials. The initial departmental request was for $50 million for a single new plane. The Department of Homeland Security characterized the purchase as "a matter of safety."
• Kristi Noem claimed Coast Guard jets were for agency mission — Secretary Kristi Noem defended her acquisition of two new Gulfstream jets financed through the Coast Guard budget, stating they were necessary replacements for 25-year-old aircraft and that Congress had appropriated the funds. The source material indicates Noem personally uses the aircraft and that they represent taxpayer-funded government jets for her use, similar to her taxpayer-funded waterfront Coast Guard Commandant residence.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration implements sweeping tariffs; consumers report price increases and supply shortages — President Trump has implemented broad tariffs on imports, particularly from China (averaging 58%) and threatening 100% tariffs on Chinese goods by November, and on Mexico/Latin America. An S&P Global study found companies face $1.2 trillion in additional 2025 expenses, with two-thirds ($900 billion) expected to shift to US consumers. Yale Budget Lab estimates tariffs will cost households nearly $2,400 annually. Multiple Americans report significant price increases across groceries, household goods, and services, with some experiencing empty shelves and reduced purchasing power.