{"id":2619869,"date":"2026-06-27T09:02:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T13:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/people-on-food-stamps-can-keep-buying-junk-with-your-tax-dollars-obama-judge-rules\/"},"modified":"2026-06-27T09:03:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T13:03:17","slug":"people-on-food-stamps-can-keep-buying-junk-with-your-tax-dollars-obama-judge-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/people-on-food-stamps-can-keep-buying-junk-with-your-tax-dollars-obama-judge-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"People On Food Stamps Can Keep Buying Junk With Your Tax Dollars, Obama Judge Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpeople-on-food-stamps-can-keep-buying-junk-with-your-tax-dollars-obama-judge-rules%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2619869&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-judge-strikes-down-bidens-unauthorized-climate-rule\/\" title=\"... Invalidates Biden&#039;s Unauthorized Climate Regulation\">federal judge invalidated<\/a> several state pilot programs that aimed to restrict the use of SNAP benefits on certain unhealthy foods like candy and soda. Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruled that the USDA improperly interpreted federal law when approving thes restrictions, wich impacted programs in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The court stated that the USDA&#8217;s approach effectively redefined what constitutes &#8220;food,&#8221; contradicting congressional definitions. Despite the ruling, the USDA has previously approved waivers in 23 states to limit the purchase of non-nutritious items with SNAP benefits, asserting these <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >measures promote healthier choices<\/a> and better <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/americas-fight-conservative-school-board-member-blows-the-lid-off-inner-workings-of-the-lefts-monopoly-on-education\/\" title=\"America&#039;s Fight: Conservative School Board Member Blows the Lid off Inner Workings of the Left&#039;s Monopoly on Education\">utilize taxpayer dollars<\/a>.The article also mentions issues of SNAP benefit fraud, with over $320 million reported stolen from October 2022 to December 2024, and details a case where an individual was sentenced for orchestrating a SNAP benefits scam.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>A federal judge on Monday struck down multiple state pilot programs that restricted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients from using their benefits to buy unhealthy foods.<\/p>\n<p>Obama-<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fjc.gov\/history\/judges\/jackson-amy-berman\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">appointed<\/a> U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruled that Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins incorrectly interpreted federal law when approving limits on what SNAP\u00a0recipients could purchase with their benefits, Politico <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/06\/22\/judge-snap-junk-food-rules-maha-00970700\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">reported<\/a>. The ruling impacts such pilot programs in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia, according to the outlet.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith her solicitation and approval of the pilot projects in this case, the Secretary purports to waive not just a mere administrative or technical obstacle, but the very definition of \u2018food\u2019 as it was laid down by Congress,\u201d the ruling says, Politico reported. \u201cNeither the [U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)] nor the states can force this square peg into a round hole to avoid the plain language of the statute and the requirements of 2026(k).\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The USDA did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation\u2019s request for comment.<\/p>\n<p>The USDA has thus far signed off on \u201cfood restriction\u201d waivers \u2060in 23 states letting them prohibit SNAP participants from using their benefits to purchase items such as \u200bcandy and soda, Reuters <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/legal\/government\/us-judge-blocks-trump-administration-snap-restrictions-soda-candy-2026-06-22\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump\u2019s administration is \u201cleading bold reform to strengthen integrity and restore nutritional value within\u201d SNAP, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fna.usda.gov\/snap\/waivers\/foodrestriction\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">according<\/a> to a statement on the USDA\u2019s website.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUSDA is empowering states with greater flexibility to manage their\u00a0 programs by approving SNAP Food Restriction Waivers that restrict the purchase of non-nutritious items like soda and candy,\u201d according to the USDA. \u201cThese waivers are a key step in ensuring that taxpayer dollars provide nutritious options that improve health outcomes within SNAP.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>U.S. states reported having to replace over $320 million in stolen SNAP benefits from October 2022 to December 2024, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/blog\/stolen-snap-benefits-cost-beneficiaries-millions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">according<\/a> to a December 2025 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office.<\/p>\n<p>The Justice Department <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/usao-md\/pr\/maryland-man-sentenced-snap-benefits-fraud-scheme\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">announced<\/a> on May 22 that a Maryland man had been sentenced to 54 months in federal prison \u201cfor masterminding\u201d a SNAP benefits \u201cfraud scam\u201d and other related crimes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"disclaimer\">\n<p>All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter\u2019s byline and their DCNF affiliation. 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( opts[inputs[i]] = document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display = 'block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display = 'none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src = firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display = 'inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id'] = firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting = jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display = 'none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display = 'block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/body><\/html><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A judge invalidated state SNAP food restrictions, ruling they misinterpreted federal law<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2619870,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_9660.jpeg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[34205,32412,67587],"class_list":["post-2619869","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-food-stamps","tag-government-spending","tag-welfare-policy"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_9660.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619869","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2619869"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619869\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2619873,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619869\/revisions\/2619873"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2619870"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2619869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2619869"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2619869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}