Gavin Newsom has announced he will deploy the California military to help families whose food benefits have been affected by the government shutdown.
Writing on X, the California governor said: "California is deploying @TheCalGuard to quickly assist families whose federal food benefits are halted because of Donald Trump's government shutdown.
"We won't let the GOP's cruel inaction force millions of Californians to go hungry."
Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers SNAP benefits, for comment via email Wednesday morning.
Why It Matters
The Democrat's use of the California military to help with food assistance programs comes in contrast to the federalization of the state's National Guard by President Donald Trump earlier this year, to tackle illegal immigration in Los Angeles and the protests that erupted from those actions. Newsom is one of the leading voices from the left raising concerns with the current White House and Washington, D.C., policies.
What To Know
Newsom's announcement Wednesday came as the federal government shutdown entered its fourth week, with Republicans and Democrats in Congress still at a stalemate over how to reopen the government, bring back federal workers, and restart services.
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Democrats must end the three-week-old government shutdown before he agrees to talks.
"I would like to meet with both of them, but I said one little caveat, I will only meet if they let the country open," he said, referring to U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
While leaders on both sides of the aisle blame each other for the standoff, states have been looking at how they can keep vital services running, including for those on federal food benefit programs. Newsom warned on Tuesday that some people could go without payments in November if a solution isn't reached soon.
Roughly 5.5 million Californians rely on CalFresh, which is California’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This is up from 4.3 million who were on the benefits in 2021, according to the California Department of Social Services.
The payments help low-income individuals and families pay for food at their local grocery stores, with an EBT card that they can use on qualifying items. Many families also rely on food banks, and that number may increase without federal benefit payments.
Newsom said Wednesday that the California National Guard would be deployed under his command to help serve meals and coordinate logistics, as they and other groups did during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The Governor's office said that troops would not be acting as law enforcement.
What People Are Saying
California Governor Gavin Newsom, in a press release: “The Trump administration and their GOP shutdown have turned their backs on working people, pulling food from the tables of families who were already struggling to get by. California is taking action to support our families by deploying California’s National Guard and California Volunteers to strengthen food distribution and invest $80 million to keep food banks stocked. I’m proud that California is stepping up where federal cowardice has failed families.”
Major General Matthew P. Beevers, in a press release: “During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cal Guard service members played a crucial role in this effort, and they are honored to serve their communities once again. In collaboration with Cal OES and Cal Volunteers, we are dedicated to this critical mission, ensuring that those in need receive the assistance they deserve. This partnership highlights our collective responsibility and commitment to the well-being of all Californians.”
What's Next
Like many vital federal government services, SNAP benefits have relied on reserve funding during the shutdown, but lawmakers are under pressure to pass a funding bill before those run out.
