From the Washington Times: 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.
Instead of cooperating with the request, Minnesota filed a lawsuit. In turn, Rollins ordered a freeze last week on $129 million in food stamp assistance.
ABOUT THIS JUDGE: Laura Provinzino, 50, is a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. She was nominated by Joe Biden in June 2024, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in September 2024.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller reacted to the judge’s ruling, writing, “Minnesota has refused to provide the federal government with the names, social security numbers or identifying information of food stamps recipients — they just send a monthly bill. More judicial tyranny.”
Minnesota has refused to provide the federal government with the names, social security numbers or identifying information of food stamps recipients — they just send a monthly bill. More judicial tyranny. https://t.co/DglPlhvuYV
— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) January 15, 2026
BREAKING: Biden appointed U.S. District Judge Laura Provinzino BLOCKED the USDA from withholding $80 million in funding to Minnesota’s food stamp program pic.twitter.com/gVmLwH1dau
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 15, 2026
Rollins had announced on January 9:
Enough is enough! The Trump administration has uncovered MASSIVE fraud in Minnesota and Minneapolis—billions siphoned off by fraudsters. And those in charge have ZERO plan to fix it.
Today, @USDA is SUSPENDING FEDERAL FINANCIAL AWARDS to Minnesota and Minneapolis, effective immediately, until sufficient proof has been provided that the fraud has stopped. No more handouts to thieves! Time to drain the Minnesota swamp and put American taxpayers first. 🇺🇸💪
(Now a federal judge has just ruled the handouts must continue.)
Enough is enough! The Trump administration has uncovered MASSIVE fraud in Minnesota and Minneapolis—billions siphoned off by fraudsters. And those in charge have ZERO plan to fix it.
Today, @USDA is SUSPENDING FEDERAL FINANCIAL AWARDS to Minnesota and Minneapolis, effective… pic.twitter.com/xEus3GAcGX
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) January 9, 2026
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