Four dozen House Democrats warned the USDA against using its food box donation program “to distribute a self-promoting letter from the president” ahead of the Nov. 3 election. The letter would come four months after Americans were mailed postcards with “President Trump’s coronavirus guidelines for America,” also criticized as a political use of federal resources.
“We urge you to stop the practice immediately,” said the lawmakers in a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, adding, “A federal food assistance program should not be used as a tool for the president to exploit taxpayer dollars for his re-election campaign.” Fox News said the food box letter was the idea of Ivanka Trump, daughter and White House adviser to President Trump.
A USDA spokesperson was not immediately available for comment on Monday about the letter, which includes tips for reducing the risk of coronavirus as well as the president saying, “I prioritized sending nutritious food from our farmers to families in need throughout America. … We will support America’s recovery every step of the way.”
The USDA has solicited bids for the third round of the $3 billion Farmers to Families Food Box program. Created in April, it pays contractors to buy surplus food at the farm level, package it, and deliver the boxes to food banks and other nonprofits for distribution to hungry Americans. The administration, which wants to narrow eligibility for SNAP, has highlighted the food box program in responding to hunger during the pandemic.