Federal Charges Dropped Against Small Farmers as USDA Launches Portal for Victims of “Lawfare”

The Trump administration announced that the federal criminal charges against small family farmers Charles and Heather Maude have been dropped. As part of the announcement, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a web portal for potential victims of “ongoing lawfare originating under the Biden administration.”

“President Trump is directing his cabinet to ensure no citizen of this country is unfairly targeted on politically motivated witch hunts,” Rollins said. “That is what happened to the Maudes, and I am working to ensure no farmer, rancher, or customer who works with USDA will ever endure baseless political persecution. I am calling on any individuals who are currently enduring lawfare conducted by USDA to visit www.usda.gov/lawfare and submit a form. My team will promptly work to address the situation.”

The federal government indicted the Maudes in June 2024 on charges of federal property theft related to a fence-line dispute. The charges alleged that the Maudes knowingly stole and converted about 50 acres of Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, which the USDA manages. The fence in question has been in place for the last 70 years, involving 25 acres the family allegedly used for cultivation and another 25 acres for grazing cattle. They were both charged separately, facing up to 10 years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000.

A high-profile case still ongoing is Amos Miller, but the federal case against the Amish farmer for selling raw milk across state lines wrapped up two years ago. Pennsylvania’s case against Miller is ongoing, but the judge ruled in January that his farm could continue selling raw milk across state lines. The federal case was brought in 2016 and concluded in 2023 with a third consent decree. Miller must follow all USDA food safety regulations, and he was ordered to pay $55,065.72 to the USDA for the costs of investigating him and $30,000 to the court. Miller appeared on The HighWire in 2022 to discuss the charges brought against him.

The HighWire has reported about the decline of small family farms, including government policies that support massive producers like Tyson Foods. Dustin Kittle sued the Biden administration for failing to appoint members to the Farm Credit Agency board, a lawsuit that is still ongoing. Kittle says he was extorted by Alabama Farm Credit as he was threatened with foreclosure despite never missing a payment.

Last week, The HighWire described a report by the Fair Agriculture Council that among other things concluded that farmers contracted with Tyson Foods are “indentured servants” on an endless “debt treadmill.” These cases do not pertain to the weaponization of the court system against small farmers by the USDA.

Salmonella Testing in Chicken

Last week, the USDA withdrew a proposal from the Biden administration that would have implemented a stricter salmonella policy for chicken. While media outlets correctly reported about the withdrawal of this proposal, a meme falsely said the USDA would “no longer require poultry companies to limit salmonella bacteria in their raw products.”

In 2016, the USDA implemented a maximum threshold of 25% salmonella positive for comminuted chicken. That rule is still in effect, so no regulations have been overturned in regard to salmonella and chicken. Representative Thomas Massie posted on X that there was an attempt to mislead the public on this issue. He said, “The proposed regulation, like many USDA regulations, would benefit giant processors by making it harder for inherently healthier independent poultry processors to exist.”

First 100 Days Update

Secretary Rollins and the USDA issued an update following the first 100 days of the current administration. Rollins said the agency is focused on cutting regulations and costs to help American farmers. So far, the agency has canceled 3,600 contracts and grants to save $5.5 billion.

Rollins also said the agency is committed to making America healthy again, and she continues to work with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as part of the MAHA commission. While the USDA cannot unilaterally remove soda and candy from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the individual states can ask for exemptions. Kennedy has encouraged states to ask for these exemptions and said they would be granted.

Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Indiana have all requested waivers from the USDA, while many other states are pursuing state legislation. The HighWire reported that the American Beverage Association, which represents large corporations like Pepsi and Coca-Cola, has been lobbying to defend “freedom of choice” for individuals on nutritional government assistance, including the ability to buy soda.

Rollins and Kennedy also announced in March that the USDA dietary guidelines would be updated and finalized by the end of 2025. Rollins said, “We will make certain the 2025-2030 Guidelines are based on sound science, not political science.” Kennedy said, “We are going to make sure the dietary guidelines will reflect the public interest and serve public health rather than special interests.”

Rollins and the USDA also announced targeted law enforcement efforts to find fraud occurring in the SNAP program.