On Tuesday, the White House announced it will use tariff revenue to fund the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), sidestepping a potential lapse in benefits that supports more than 6 million low-income families nationwide.
Trump taps tariffs to fund nutrition aid
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the move in a post on X, saying Democrats had “cruelly voted to shut down the government,” pushing WIC to the brink of running out of funds this week. To prevent that, Trump authorized officials to tap Section 232 tariff revenue to cover program costs.
“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.
Officials described the plan as a short-term workaround while Congress remains deadlocked.
How WIC helps families
WIC is a federally funded program that provides:
- Monthly food vouchers
- Breastfeeding support
- Nutrition education
It serves more than 6 million women and children, but demand had surged during the shutdown. According to the USDA, the federal government spent more than $7 billion on WIC in 2024 alone.
Some states had considered fronting the funds to keep the program running. Now, with tariff revenue acting as a financial backstop, that stopgap may no longer be necessary—at least for now.
Will this move hold up?
While the White House frames the decision as a “creative solution,” legal questions remain. It’s unclear:
- How much tariff revenue will be used
- How long the funding will last
- Whether Congress will challenge the maneuver
Some legal analysts predict lawsuits are likely, as diverting tariff revenue without congressional approval could trigger constitutional concerns.
Political fallout on both sides
The shutdown has quickly become a messaging war:
- Republicans blame Democrats for refusing spending cuts
- Democrats accuse Trump of engineering the shutdown for political leverage
Despite years of bipartisan support for WIC, recent GOP proposals have suggested trimming benefits, including cuts to the popular fruit and vegetable allotment.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s decision to use tariff funds is drawing praise from conservatives who see it as a practical solution.
“Problem solving 101,” wrote one supporter on Fox News’ comment thread. “The man gets things done.”
What’s next?
The administration has not said whether additional funds will be needed if the shutdown drags on. For now, WIC benefits are safe—but advocates warn that families can’t afford more uncertainty.
“This might hold for a week or two,” one official told Politico. “But Congress still needs to act.”
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