Ellen Mei, a SNAP program specialist and local union representative, appeared on MSNBC on Oct. 2 to discuss how the government shutdown was impacting federal workers and the USDA’s food assistance operations. She said that workers administering the SNAP program were feeling “overworked and exhausted” due to agency cuts and explained how funding could run out if the shutdown dragged on. Mei said she was simply exercising her First Amendment rights by discussing what the shutdown could mean for the SNAP program. called on the USDA to reverse the “retaliatory” firing and put Mei back on the job “immediately” when federal workers return following the shutdown. AdvertisementThe Federal Unionists Network says that 18,000 USDA employees have left the agency this year since Trump began pushing federal workers out through early retirement programs and layoffs.

Source: Huffington Post November 14, 2025 16:42 UTC