Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) announced on Wednesday that he is mobilizing the National Guard to assist food banks as the government shutdown is set to delay food stamps for 5.5 million people in the state by next month.
California is expected to be hit hard by the delayed benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, as the state issues $1.1 billion in such benefits per month. While CalFresh benefits for October have been issued, SNAP beneficiaries won’t receive food assistance for November. The government has been shut down for three weeks and counting, with no end in sight.
On Monday, the California Department of Social Services notified counties that the state’s federally funded food benefits could be disrupted as long as the shutdown lasts.
Newsom blames President Donald Trump for failing to reopen the government during the stalemate between Republicans and Democrats in Congress.
“Trump’s failure isn’t abstract — it’s literally taking food out of people’s mouths. This is serious, this is urgent — and requires immediate action,” he said in a statement.
In addition to deploying the California National Guard, Newsom is expediting $80 million in state funds and using a state government office to help distribute food to low-income families.
“Millions of Americans rely on food benefits to feed their families, and while Republicans in Washington drag their feet, California is stepping up once again to fill in the gaps,” the Democratic governor added. “As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, California is working to ensure CalFresh recipients don’t go hungry while food prices are spiking under President Trump.”
Newsom last activated the National Guard to assist food banks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
His office maintains that the deployed troops will only provide support to state civilian authorities and not serve as law enforcement.
The move comes amid tension between Newsom and Trump over the federal government’s deployment of National Guard units to blue cities. Newsom has repeatedly opposed Trump’s executive authority on this issue, even threatening to sue the White House if troops are sent to San Francisco.
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In contrast to Newsom, many Republican governors have authorized the National Guard to assist the federal government in combating crime and providing logistical support to immigration operations. At least four states, including Florida and Texas, have signed federal agreements that delegate some immigration enforcement duties, such as arrests, to National Guard members.
While many Republican governors have supported Trump’s deployments or remained silent, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R-OK), who chairs the National Governors Association, recently questioned Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R-TX) deployment of Texas troops to Illinois.
