SD. WHITE HOUSE BLAMES DEMOCRATS FOR POTENTIAL WIC LAPSE — UNVEILS ‘CREATIVE SOLUTION’ TO KEEP PROGRAM RUNNING
🇺🇸 WHITE HOUSE UNVEILS “CREATIVE SOLUTION” TO KEEP WIC RUNNING AMID SHUTDOWN — TRUMP AUTHORIZES USE OF TARIFF REVENUE
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a move aimed at preventing millions of low-income mothers and children from losing access to food assistance, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Tuesday that President Donald Trump has approved a plan to use tariff revenue to keep the WIC nutrition program operational during the ongoing government shutdown.
Leavitt said the administration “will not allow mothers and children to go hungry,” accusing Democrats of cruelly voting to shut down the government and forcing the program — officially known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) — to run out of funds this week.
“The Trump White House will not allow impoverished mothers and their babies to go hungry because of the Democrats’ political games,” Leavitt said in a statement.
The plan, confirmed by the White House to Fox News, was described as a short-term ‘creative solution’ crafted by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). It will draw upon Section 232 tariff revenue — funds collected from tariffs on imported goods — to sustain WIC “for the foreseeable future.” The administration has not disclosed how much money will be diverted but says the amount will be enough to cover near-term costs.
👩👧 A Lifeline for Millions
WIC currently provides vouchers for nutritious foods, breastfeeding assistance, and nutrition education to roughly 6 million low-income women and children nationwide. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that the federal government spent more than $7 billion on the program during fiscal year 2024.
Without the infusion of tariff funds, the program was projected to exhaust its resources within weeks due to the federal funding lapse caused by the shutdown.
⚖️ Political Blame Game
Leavitt’s announcement comes amid growing partisan tension in Washington. Democrats have accused Republicans of jeopardizing essential services through their handling of the shutdown, while Republicans blame Democratic resistance to spending restraints for deepening the budget standoff.
An official familiar with the plan described the move to Axios as a “temporary fix” meant to protect vulnerable families while congressional negotiations continue.
🏛️ What Comes Next
The White House has not said how long the redirected funds will sustain WIC or whether another transfer will be needed if the stalemate drags on.
The announcement follows a tumultuous week for the Trump administration, marked by shutdown showdowns, economic negotiations, and escalating cartel conflicts at the southern border.
For now, the administration says its priority is simple: keep food on the tables of America’s most vulnerable families — no matter the political gridlock in Washington.
Karoline Leavitt shared on X Tuesday the White House is using tariff revenue to keep the WIC program running during the government shutdown after a funding lapse.
