The Trump administration is diverting tariff revenue to keep food assistance for low-income women and children afloat during the government shutdown, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday.

Ms. Leavitt also blamed Democrats for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, to nearly run out of funding and hurt “the most vulnerable.”

“Thankfully, President Trump and the White House have identified a creative solution to transfer resources from Section 232 tariff revenue to this critical program,” Ms. Leavitt wrote on X. “The Trump White House will not allow impoverished mothers and their babies to go hungry because of the Democrats’ political games.”

Ms. Leavitt did not release any details, including how much was transferred to the program or whether the funding will fully restore WIC services.

Last month, the Treasury Department reported tariff revenue of $31.7 billion, bringing total tariff collections so far this year to $190 billion, a 160% increase compared to the same period last year.

More than 6 million people benefit from the WIC program, which costs the government over $7 billion in fiscal year 2024.

On Monday, Ms. Leavitt warned that if the government shutdown continues, the WIC program funding will be exhausted “very soon.”

“It can be easily funded if the Democrats simply vote tonight to reopen the government,” she said.

• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.