The beginning of the end of the Schumer Shutdown for Democrats came amid increasing concerns among some Senate Dems regarding SNAP benefits running out for low-income families just as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons were getting ready to kick into full swing.
Democrat House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) wasn't budging, however, proclaiming in late October that "They are choosing to withhold funding for SNAP because they want to punish hungry children, hungry veterans, hungry seniors, hungry women, and hungry families as part of their continued effort to hurt everyday Americans."
In a press conference held at the time alongside GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-04), where waste, fraud, and abuse in SNAP was discussed, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins shut down Jeffries' talking point, stating that "There is a contingency fund at USDA... but it is only allowed to flow if the underlying program is funded," which it wasn't, thanks to Democrats.
READ MORE: Brooke Rollins Cooks Hakeem Jeffries on Issue of USDA Contingency Funds for SNAP, Lays Out Facts
Also hotly debated before, during, and after the shutdown were the changes made to SNAP in the Big, Beautiful Bill, which included raising the upper age limits for able-bodied adults and ending benefits for most non-citizens, as we previously reported. The Trump administration and Republicans wanted to root out fraud and abuse in SNAP, while Democrats wanted to pretend it didn't exist.
Rollins, again, wasn't having it and has been on a mission to educate the public about the rampant abuse in the system and of taxpayer money, and what the USDA is doing about it.
On Friday, she shared information on a fraud case out west where two Romanian nationals who are here illegally have been charged with allegedly stealing $160,000 in SNAP benefits:
When it comes to SNAP Fraud, this is the Democrats’ process:
Step 1: It's not really happening
Step 2: Yeah, it's happening, but it's not a big deal
You are here
Step 3: It's a good thing, actually
Unfortunately for the criminal fraudsters, there’s a new sheriff in town, and we’re not going to accept the status quo. If you break the law, we will find you!
When it comes to SNAP Fraud, this is the Democrats’ process:
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) December 19, 2025
Step 1: It's not really happening
Step 2: Yeah, it's happening, but it's not a big deal
➡️ You are here
Step 3: It's a good thing, actually
Unfortunately for the criminal fraudsters, there’s a new sheriff in town,… pic.twitter.com/YV98ozes8N
The DOJ posted updated information about the case on Thursday:
Two Romanian nationals unlawfully residing in the United States made their initial appearances yesterday after being indicted by a federal grand jury for their role in a conspiracy to steal more than $160,000 of benefits from low income and food insecure individuals and families.
Alexandru Telescu, 29, and Aramis Manolea, 35, have been charged in a 26-count indictment with conspiracy to defraud the United States, access device fraud, possession, production, and trafficking of device-making equipment, and aggravated identity theft.
[...]
According to court documents, beginning in April 2025, Telescu and Manolea, along with others, conspired to use stolen Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) account information and PINs to fraudulently purchase SNAP-eligible items, like infant formula and energy drinks. The defendants, along with their co-conspirators, also conspired to possess and use electronic devices to steal EBT account information and PINs from point-of-sale terminals in Oregon and elsewhere. The conspiracy used the EBT benefits at grocery stores in Oregon, Washington, and California. The stolen goods were packaged in storage units and loaded into vans and trucks for shipment to California.
This was in addition to the charges announced earlier this week in a $7 million Massachusetts SNAP fraud case. Again, from the DOJ:
Two men have been arrested and charged in an alleged scheme to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars’ worth of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through small retail stores they operated in Boston. Defendants’ monthly SNAP redemptions allegedly ranged from $100,000 - $500,000 per month, outpacing full-service supermarkets. Defendants also allegedly sold donated food product intended for food-insecure children overseas.
Antonio Bonheur, 74, of Mattapan and Saul Alisme, 21, of Hyde Park, were each charged with one count of food stamp fraud. The defendants were arrested this morning and will appear in federal court in Boston at 3:15 p.m. today.
Another fraud scandal exploiting a government program. This time in Massachusetts.
— AG (@AGHamilton29) December 18, 2025
Antonio Bonheur and Saul Alisme, both from Haiti, are accused of running storefronts to steal SNAP benefits to the tune of $7 million and pocketing the money.
U.S. Attorney announcement below. pic.twitter.com/Y9tCVONzNj
SEE ALSO: AG Secy Rollins Drops the Hammer: No Funding for States Who Refuse to Share SNAP Data
Between these scandals and the myriad fraud scandals in Minnesota, it does make you wonder if voters are paying attention to the fact that this stuff is being uncovered in blue states. Not that it doesn't happen in red states, too, but on balance, I think it happens far more in blue states because their checks and balances on these types of benefits programs are practically non-existent compared to the ones you see in red states. Not to mention the fact that their enforcement mechanisms are different as well.
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