A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the Trump administration from imposing new fraud controls on Minnesota’s food stamp amid reports of rampant fraud.
U.S. District Judge Laura M. Provinzino, a Biden appointee to the court in Minnesota, also ordered the federal government to unfreeze money already allocated to the state.
The moves are a loss for the Trump administration in its new battle against government program fraud, first spurred by revelations of massive abuse of government programs by Minnesota’s Somali migrant community.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins last month had ordered Minnesota to take steps to cut down on fraud in its food stamp program, including a re-check of 100,000 enrollees. She gave the state 30 days, which would have meant by this Thursday.
When Minnesota balked and sued, she ordered a freeze last week on $129 million in assistance.
The federal government characterized Ms. Rollins’ demand as a new pilot program and pointed to authority in the law to establish such programs.
Minnesota argued Ms. Rollins’ move was a retaliatory action taken as part of a “misguided” standoff with state officials.
It also said Ms. Rollins’ demand to re-certify all enrollees in 30 days was “utterly impossible.”
The federal department, though, said Minnesota didn’t even try — it just sued.
The department pointed out that the federal government gave Minnesota a $749,000 anti-fraud grant in September 2024. So far the state has spent just $302.
