Trump Administration Memo Freezing Federal Funding is “Abandonment of the American People”
This morning, MAZON denounced a memo from the Trump Administration’s Office of Management and Budget freezing all federal grants, throwing key support for food security and other anti-poverty programs into jeopardy, and endangering the lives of tens of millions of Americans nationwide. We released the following statement condemning the reckless, morally repugnant, and unlawful decision and called on Congressional leaders to stand up for their constituents in need rather than rolling over for an Administration that holds them in disdain.
MAZON President & CEO Abby J. Leibman stated,
“This is an abuse of power and an abandonment of the American people. More than 47 million Americans struggle with food insecurity, and today they woke up terrified that their government has abandoned them. It was just last week that President Trump swore to protect the rights and well-being of all Americans, and he has already made clear that this is quite simply a lie. We do not yet know the specific impact of this policy memo — indeed, it’s not clear that the White House even understands the details — but we absolutely understand the cruelty behind it. This Administration is already showing contempt for the Constitution, the rule of law, and every single person who relies on our federal government to support them in their hour of need. This memo is an encapsulation of that contempt.
Our sacred texts and traditions underscore the core Jewish values of the pursuit of justice and our collective responsibility to care for those struggling in our midst. Psalm 82:3-4 instructs us to ‘Defend the poor and the orphan; deal justly with the poor and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.’ Our elected officials in Congress must not sit idly by and let this travesty continue; they must assert their power on behalf of their constituents and take firm action to prevent the real and critical harm that this reprehensible memo will cause for those in need and the programs that depend on this funding to simply exist. MAZON and our partners are activating every tool at our disposal to fight against this cruel policy — including, if need be, in the courts — to protect the wellbeing of the tens of millions of people facing food insecurity from the cruel intentions of this Administration.”
MAZON wrote to every Member of Congress earlier this month calling on them to use their power to “defend against attempts to narrow, weaken, and withhold resources” that their constituents in need rely on every single day. That letter can be found here.