We use essential cookies and third-party cookies for content.

Deutsche Tageszeitung - California to deploy national guard to help food banks

California to deploy national guard to help food banks

POLITICS 23.10.2025
California to deploy national guard to help food banks
California to deploy national guard to help food banks / Photo: © AFP/File

California's governor said Wednesday he would be deploying the state's national guard to help distribute food to Americans struggling because of the US government shutdown.

Change text size:

Hundreds of thousands of federal workers across the country are not being paid as Democrats and Republicans in Washington squabble over the national budget, leaving some families struggling to meet their costs.

Payments to some of America's poorest people, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -- known colloquially as food stamps -- are also due to expire in the coming days if no agreement is reached.

That is set to put extra pressure on food banks, which typically offer free or low-cost produce to people who cannot otherwise afford to buy it.

Governor Gavin Newsom said he would be activating the Guard to do the kind of food bank work they performed during the Covid pandemic, when they helped serve millions of meals.

Newsom, a Democrat who battled President Donald Trump's order to deploy the National Guard to support immigration raids, said he was also fast-tracking $80 million of state support to help feed those in need.

"Trump’s failure isn’t abstract –- it’s literally taking food out of people’s mouths," said Newsom, who is expected to seek the Democratic nomination for the White House in 2027.

"Millions of Americans rely on food benefits to feed their families, and while Republicans in Washington drag their feet... California is working to ensure (food stamp) recipients don't go hungry while food prices are spiking."

Nationally, the program feeds more than 42 million people, with roughly 5.5 million in California alone.

The federal government shutdown, now in its fourth week, is the second longest in history, with no end to the stalemate in sight.

The National Guard is a state-based military reserve force, made up largely of people who serve part-time while holding civilian jobs or conducting other activities.

It is routinely mobilized to address emergencies on US soil, typically natural disasters.

In the last few months Trump has sparked fury by federalizing parts of the Guard to deploy troops in Democratic cities including Los Angeles and Washington.

(W.Novokshonov--DTZ)

Featured

Guterres Warns Against Building Peace on a 'Burning Planet' in Cop31 Farewell

António Guterres has issued a stark warning against building peace on a "burning planet" during his final address at the Cop31 climate summit. As world leaders depart and negotiations persist, the outgoing UN chief emphasized that climate action is central to every aspect of global governance and human survival.

Iran Warns South Korea Against Naval Expansion Near Strait of Hormuz

Iran has formally warned South Korea against deploying naval forces near the Strait of Hormuz, characterizing Seoul’s plan to extend the mission of its antipiracy unit as a hostile act tied to the conflict between the United States and Iran. The diplomatic dispute arises as South Korea seeks legislative approval to broaden the operational scope of the Cheonghae Unit.

Miss Universe Visa Controversy: Zambia and Congo Winners Denied Entry

The winners of the Miss Universe pageant representing Zambia and the Republic of the Congo have been unable to obtain visas to enter the United States. This development underscores the impact of sweeping travel restrictions imposed by the US government during Donald Trump's second administration, which have affected dozens of countries, particularly those in Africa.

Judge Denies Peltola Campaign’s Request for Alaska Absentee Ballot Data

An Anchorage Superior Court judge on Wednesday denied a lawsuit filed by the campaign of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mary Peltola, which sought detailed data on rejected absentee ballots from the Alaska Division of Elections. The ruling halts the campaign’s attempt to identify voters whose ballots were invalidated and understand the specific reasons for those rejections while the state continues its critical vote-counting operations.

Change text size: