Just over a week has passed since Senate Democrats orchestrated a government shutdown by blocking a continuing resolution which would have provided funding until November 21.

While that move has put food assistance for low-income mothers and their children at risk, the Trump administration has found a workaround.  

Tariff money to fund WIC

As Axios pointed out on Tuesday, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) had been expected to run out of money within weeks of the government shutting down.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), WIC "provides free healthy foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education" to "pregnant, recently pregnant, and breastfeeding women" along with "infants and children under 5 years old."

"To be eligible for WIC, applicants must have income at or below an income level or standard set by the state agency or be determined automatically income-eligible based on participation in certain programs," it advises.

Axios cited an unnamed senior White House official who indicated that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has found an avenue to keep WIC solvent.

Specifically, the Trump administration will fund the program using money which is being collected from various tariffs which President Donald has implemented.

Press secretary touts "creative solution"

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the plan to Axios in a statement, saying, "President Trump and the White House have identified a creative solution to transfer resources from Section 232 tariff revenue to this critical program."

Leavitt later reiterated that message in a social media post, writing, "The Democrats are so cruel in their continual votes to shut down the government that they forced the WIC program for the most vulnerable women and children to run out this week."

The Democrats are so cruel in their continual votes to shut down the government that they forced the WIC program for the most vulnerable women and children to run out this week.

Thankfully, President Trump and the White House have identified a creative solution to transfer… https://t.co/tj9Xt7f4yQ

— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) October 7, 2025

"Thankfully, President Trump and the White House have identified a creative solution to transfer resources from Section 232 tariff revenue to this critical program," she explained.

White House says WIC is safe "for the foreseeable future"

Fox News noted that although the White House did not indicate exactly how much of the tariff money will be used, it has pledged to fund WIC "for the foreseeable future."

The cable network also observed that roughly 6 million adults and children rely on WIC, with the program costing over $7 billion last year.