Overview
- Ellen Mei was notified she would be terminated 30 days after funding is restored, with a 20‑day window to contest once the government reopened.
- Mei appeared on MSNBC on Oct. 2 speaking for herself and as a union president, but the USDA accused her of discussing programs without prior approval and tied her remarks to her official duties.
- She and legal advocates argue the action is retaliatory and say her statements relied on publicly available information and are protected speech.
- Mei and supporters rallied in Boston on Friday as she filed her appeal, with union groups and elected officials voicing support; the USDA declined to discuss personnel matters.
- Her early warnings about November SNAP shortfalls were borne out as funding ran out in November, adding pressure on families and food pantries.