Trump’s Tariff Plan for WIC Amid Government Shutdown

On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that President Donald Trump has greenlit a strategy to utilize tariff funds to sustain the WIC nutrition program during the ongoing government shutdown. Leavitt emphasized that the administration is committed to ensuring that “no mother or child goes hungry.”

In a post on social media, she criticized Democrats for “cruelly voting to shut down the government,” which, she claimed, led to a funding shortfall for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

According to Leavitt, Trump has instructed officials to use Section 232 tariff revenues to support WIC during this crisis. The White House has confirmed that this approach is a temporary “creative solution” devised by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Leavitt stated, “The Trump White House will not allow poor mothers and their babies to go hungry for a Democratic political convention.” It remains uncertain how much customs revenue will be allocated, but it’s expected to address immediate needs, as WIC funding was projected to be depleted in the coming weeks.

The WIC program provides essential support, offering vouchers for nutritious food, breastfeeding assistance, and nutrition education to around 6 million low-income women and children across the country.

The USDA reported that the federal government allocated over $7 billion to WIC programs for fiscal year 2024. In the political arena, Democrats have criticized Republicans for disputes over WIC funding, while Republicans argue that Democrats resisted necessary spending cuts that contributed to the current shutdown.

The White House hasn’t disclosed how long the tariff funds will be available or if additional funding will be required if negotiations in Congress become protracted.

Officials have characterized this move as a stopgap measure to safeguard families in need as discussions progress. The White House has yet to respond to inquiries for further comments on the situation.