California sues over SNAP benefits cuts as Gov. Newsom invokes Scripture
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California Governor Gavin Newsom invoked biblical teachings as he criticized Republican leadership and the Trump administration for the impact of the federal government shutdown on food aid, arguing that Scripture commands to care for the hungry and that Washington has failed that moral test.
Speaking in Sacramento on Tuesday alongside state Attorney General Rob Bonta and Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Johnson, Newsom cited the teachings of Matthew, Isaiah, Luke and Proverbs as evidence that feeding the poor is “fundamental and central to conforming to God’s will.”
“This is not an Ancient suggestion [and] New Testament,” Newsom said. “These guys need to stop the evil in Washington. They sit there at prayer breakfasts. Maybe there is an edited version [President] They edited Donald Trump’s Bible and all of that. Cruelty is politics.”
NEWSOM SLAMS WHITE HOUSE’S POST-SHOOTING PRAYER DEFENSE: THE KIDS WERE ‘ACTUALLY PRAYING WHEN THEY WERE SHOT’
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., on Tuesday about the legal action the state and others are taking against the Trump administration over SNAP benefits. (Tayfun Coşkun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Newsom, who was raised Catholic and graduated from Santa Clara University, a Jesuit institution, occasionally mentions his faith background and Jesuit education when discussing social issues.
In his speech on Tuesday, he referenced a “great Jesuit university” and said lessons in the New Testament emphasize feeding the hungry and caring for the poor.
Newsom’s comments come as California and two dozen other states sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) over the Trump administration’s November decision to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the government shutdown.
Bonta said the agency had emergency funds and the allegations “unlawfully withheld payments.”
While Newsom ties the issue to the Bible, he recently came under fire for challenging White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s claim about the power of prayer following the August shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at a news conference in Sacramento, California, on Tuesday. (Tayfun Coşkun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“These kids were literally praying when they were shot,” Newsom wrote over a clip of Leavitt encouraging prayer.
Newsom emphasized this issue repeatedly in his speech on Tuesday, saying leaders who cite religion should reflect those values in policy.
“We will win this case,” he said. “This is about serving those who are hungry.”
California officials said the state transferred $80 million to food banks and deployed volunteers and the National Guard to transport supplies. Johnson said CalFresh serves 5.5 million people a month and warned that cuts in SNAP benefits would increase poverty.
California Governor Gavin Newsom listens during a press conference in Sacramento, California, on Tuesday. (Tayfun Çokun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Newsom closed his remarks by once again tying government action to biblical duties. “It’s about food. It’s about serving those who are hungry,” he said.
White House press secretary Abigail Jackson pushed back hard, accusing the governor of hypocrisy.
“It is implausible that Newsom, who closed churches during COVID and recently mocked the power of prayer, is now trying to manipulate religion to suit his own political agenda,” Jackson said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“President Trump wants the government to be open; Democrats’ insistence on keeping the government closed is hurting the American people, but they can prevent those harms by reopening the government. Instead of twisting religion for political purposes, Newsom should encourage his fellow Democrats to reopen the government.”
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On Fox News’ “America Reports” on Tuesday, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins accused Democrats of refusing to vote on measures to reopen the government and restore SNAP funding.
“We’re right on the edge. And I’ve been warning about this for almost a month now, we have enough money to get us through the end of October. But after that the government needs to reopen,” Rollins said.
USDA and Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Madison Colombo contributed to this report.
