The New USDA Chief of Staff Criticizes the Previous Management and Suggests Modifications to the Food Assistance Program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps more than 42 million people in the United States every month, could face significant changes under Donald Trump’s administration. Kailee Buller, the new Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has stated that the previous government prioritized politics over program efficiency, which, according to her, has led to “poor financial management.”
SNAP, which accounts for 68% of USDA’s nutrition assistance spending, provides monthly funds to low-income families through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, allowing them to buy basic foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products. This program is especially relevant for children, as almost 40% of its beneficiaries are minors.
Buller has assured that the Trump administration will not remain idle in the face of what she considers failures in the program’s management, although she has not specified what changes will be implemented. Her statements included criticisms of Tom Vilsack and Stacy Dean, former USDA officials, for allegedly prioritizing political interests over the real needs of the program.
Potential Impact on the Most Vulnerable Families
One of the main concerns is how these changes could affect families that rely on SNAP, especially in states like Oregon, New Mexico, and Louisiana, where program usage is higher. Among the beneficiaries, 11.6% are children under five years old and 28% are between 5 and 17 years old, highlighting the impact that any modifications could have on the nutrition of the most vulnerable children.
Another controversial point revolves around the reduction of federal employees within the USDA. According to a tweet from Elon Musk, the department has canceled 18 contracts totaling $9 million as part of a joint effort with its Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). There have also been rumors about the removal of climate change references from the USDA website, although no official confirmations have been made.
For now, Buller’s statements have raised more questions than answers. While the Trump government claims to be seeking to “correct mistakes”, no concrete details have been provided on how they plan to do so or what consequences it might have for the millions of families who rely on this program to secure their food.