LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan is back in court with the Trump administration – this time over “food stamps.” The U.S. Department of Justice filed suit last Friday against Michigan, along with Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota, accusing the states of refusing to hand over five years of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applicant data requested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

According to a statement from the DOJ, the government is asking for the data “so that USDA could ensure that states are properly administering and enforcing their determinations of residents’ eligibility for SNAP, including household benefit levels.”

Fraud hunt or privacy fight?

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According to the DOJ, 28 states have already turned over their records, and the data has uncovered what officials describe as billions of dollars annually in overpayments and fraud. The lawsuit asks a federal judge to order Michigan to comply with federal law and provide the information.

Michigan, however, has argued that the federal government’s sweeping request raises serious privacy concerns for SNAP recipients and exceeds its legal authority.

Another round in an ongoing legal battle.

The lawsuit is the latest chapter in the ongoing tug-of-war between the Trump administration and Democrat-led states over the limits of federal authority. Michigan Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel has repeatedly challenged the administration on issues ranging from access to SNAP recipient data to election oversight, immigration policies, and federal funding conditions. And with her term set to end in January 2027 due to term limits, she has shown no sign of easing up on those legal battles before leaving office.