Bennington County Democrats Respond to Governor Scott’s Defense of Sharing Vermonters’ Data with the Trump Administration
Bennington, VT — The Bennington County Democratic Committee stands with the Vermont Democratic Party in condemning Governor Phil Scott’s defense of his decision to hand over the sensitive personal data of tens of thousands of Vermonters receiving nutrition assistance to the Trump administration.
“Governor Scott says he doesn’t want to live in chaos; on that point, we agree,” said Jonathan West, Chair of the Bennington County Democrats. “But let’s be clear: that chaos is not an inevitability. It’s being driven by Donald Trump and the MAGA extremists who continue to undermine the rule of law and target vulnerable communities.”
The governor’s assurances that federal law was followed in this data request overlook a growing consensus among legal experts and state leaders, including former Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan, and current AG Charity Clark, that serious legal and constitutional questions remain. Suggesting that the Trump administration is seeking Vermonters’ personal information in good faith under the guise of “program integrity” is, at best, dangerously naïve and, at worst, willfully complicit.
The stakes could not be higher. The Trump administration has openly threatened to weaponize federal power, detaining and deporting our neighbors without due process, slashing the funding Vermont relies on, and punishing those who dare to stand against them. Vermonters of every political background have reason to be alarmed, and they deserve a governor who will fight for them, not fold under pressure.
“Governor Scott once promised to defend Vermont’s values and protect our state from Washington’s overreach,” West continued. “But faced with a lawless, authoritarian movement, he has once again chosen to roll over. Vermonters deserve leadership that stands firm in defense of our privacy, our rights, and our democracy — not excuses that enable extremism.”
The Bennington County Democrats reaffirm our commitment to standing with all Vermonters, especially the most vulnerable, against government overreach, unlawful data collection, and the dangerous erosion of democratic norms.
For more information, visit benndems.org.
