Obama-Appointed Judge Blocks Bans on Buying Soda with Food Stamps

[mystery-ak]

Obama-Appointed Judge Blocks Bans on Buying Soda with Food Stamps

Sean Moran 23 Jun 2026

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, an Obama appointee, has blocked the Trump administration’s steps toward banning the purchase of soda with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, more commonly known as food stamps.

“Congress defined what ‘food’ is supposed to be, and it did not authorize the agency to amend or waive the definition it enacted. It did not authorize the agency to cut types of food out of SNAP entirely,” Jackson wrote in a Monday filing.

“It set out clearly the type of experimental projects that could be tested to address the unquestionably serious health issues attributed to the rise of obesity in the population in general and particularly the low-income population,” the Obama-appointed judge continued.

Five states, including Iowa, Nebraska, West Virginia, Colorado, and Tennessee, have submitted requests to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct pilot projects to waive the federal definition of food in order to remove items such as soft drinks (soda) from the list of allowable purchases on SNAP.

Jackson argued that the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 provided the strict definition of what constitutes “food.”

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins issued approval letters for the states’ requests; Jackson’s ruling vacates the approvals.

The USDA has approved “food restriction” waivers in 23 states and the move has been backed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as part of the larger “Make America Healthy Again” movement.

A USDA spokesperson told the Hill that “the idea that taxpayer funds should not be used to purchase junk food should not be controversial.”

“USDA will not be backing down from the fight to Make America Healthy Again, including for families and communities reliant on SNAP,” the spokesperson continued.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/06/23/obama-appointed-judge-blocks-bans-buying-soda-food-stamps/

[IsailedawayfromFR]

We need a whole thread on lawless federal judges subverting the Constitution by straying outside their own lane. Title should be 'List of Judges for Potential Impeachment Proceedings'

Here's another by the first Muslim ever to become a federal judge

Biden-Appointed Judge Orders Security Fence Removed at Eugene Federal Building – Handing Antifa and Anarchist Rioters Their Favorite Attack Staging Ground Back

Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai smiles while seated at the bench in a courtroom, with the American flag in the background.
U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai (Credit: Jonathan House)
In yet another victory for left-wing domestic terrorists, U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai has ordered the protective perimeter fencing torn down within 48 hours, despite months of violent Antifa attacks, shattered windows, a lobby breach, over $200,000 in damage, and an active FBI manhunt for the rioters.

The ruling, issued Monday, June 22, 2026, by Biden nominee Judge Kasubhai, claims the fencing violates the First Amendment by blocking access to the upper “Free Speech Plaza.”

The judge rejected the government’s offer of a permit system and alternative spaces, insisting the area must remain fully open for “spontaneous” demonstrations.

This is the same plaza that Antifa and aligned anarchist groups have repeatedly turned into a war zone.
https://twitter.com/KatieDaviscourt/status/2069265850893500551?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2069265850893500551%7Ctwgr%5E26dc52a268d0cd564e5cd99fa9595ba7610bed0d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2026%2F06%2Fbiden-appointed-judge-orders-security-fence-removed-eugene%2F
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/06/biden-appointed-judge-orders-security-fence-removed-eugene/

[IsailedawayfromFR]

And another for the list:

Judge blocks transfer of transgender inmates back to men’s prisons, setting the stage for broader judicial clash

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from transferring more than a dozen transgender inmates, all biological males currently housed in women’s prisons across the country, back to men’s correctional facilities.

This week’s development in the closely watched case comes as female inmates from another high-profile lawsuit look to join the legal fight after they prevailed in cordoning off the men confined with them.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/investigations/4605693/judge-transgender-inmates-judicial-clash/

[mountaineer]

My state was trying to deal with its obesity and poor health problem.

The Morrisey administration disagrees with a U.S. district judge’s ruling that blocks federal officials from barring the use of SNAP benefits to buy soft drinks and candy.

“We are disappointed by the court’s decision but remain convinced that previous taxpayer subsidized resources should only be spent on healthy, nutritious food for those who need help the most,” said Lars Dalseide, spokesman for the Governor’s Office.

“Our commitment to improving the health of West Virginians has not changed, and we will continue to advance commonsense policies that encourage healthier choices and better outcomes.”  ...

Last August, West Virginia was approved for a waiver request to prevent benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program from being used to buy drinks with sugar and artificial flavorings.  ...

Metro News

[verga]

Years ago I worked at a Local Convenience store. At least once a week a guy i graduated with would come in and make a small purchase  using food stamps (The predecessor to EBT). We were required to give cash change. He would then use the change to purchase cigarettes and beer. P!$$ED me off no end. Here I was 18-19 years old working my @$$ off, going to college and this POS had me paying for his vices. Go ahead ask me why i am a conservative.

[Hoodat]

We need a whole thread on lawless federal judges subverting the Constitution by straying outside their own lane. Title should be 'List of Judges for Potential Impeachment Proceedings'

Here ya go:  https://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php?topic=584367.0

[mountaineer]

Years ago I worked at a Local Convenience store. At least once a week a guy i graduated with would come in and make a small purchase  using food stamps (The predecessor to EBT). We were required to give cash change. He would then use the change to purchase cigarettes and beer. P!$$ED me off no end. Here I was 18-19 years old working my @$$ off, going to college and this POS had me paying for his vices. Go ahead ask me why i am a conservative.

I've witnessed people buying jarred pimentos, potato chips, candy bars and innumerable other non-essential items with their food stamps - while I stood in line behind them digging through my wallet for bills.

[roamer_1]

“Congress defined what ‘food’ is supposed to be, and it did not authorize the agency to amend or waive the definition it enacted. It did not authorize the agency to cut types of food out of SNAP entirely,” Jackson wrote in a Monday filing.

Except alcohol.
And tobacco.

See, there's the problem of the camel's nose under the tent. 

As a disclaimer, I am on SNAP these days... I spend about 30 bucks a month on junk - A bag of Cheetos, a gallon of ice cream, 4 packages of store brand crappy cookies, 2 packages of Werther's Original chewy caramels, 2 packs of SweetTarts. That's about it. Somewhat less than 10% . Very little on boxed or pre-made stuff. I do keep kraft Mac and Cheese around... Rice-a-Roni... It's all canned goods, frozen foods, meat, veggies, fresh fruit...

I think that's reasonable, responsible use. And that's a thing for me, since the good folks of the great state of Montana are footing the bill.

Now and then I will buy a six pack of creme soda or root beer, but as a rule, sodas are not something I do - I do sweet tea though, which is questionably the same thing., though I make it myself. 

Are you gonna ban sugar and tea too?

[Luis Gonzalez]