The Majority Report with Sam Seder — Episode 3613 Summary

Date: October 29, 2025
Guests: Andrea Joy Campbell (Massachusetts Attorney General), Zohran Mamdani (NYC Mayoral Candidate)
Main Topics: Government shutdown's impact on SNAP, lawsuit against Trump administration over food assistance, hunger as a political weapon, and the NYC mayoral race

Episode Overview

This episode of The Majority Report, hosted by Sam Seder, centers on the political and human crises stemming from the ongoing federal government shutdown, with a particular focus on the Trump administration's decision to cut off SNAP (food stamp) benefits. The episode features a detailed interview with Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell as she discusses a multi-state lawsuit aimed at forcing the Trump administration to release emergency food aid. Later, Sam is joined by NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who talks canvassing strategy and responds to fearmongering rhetoric from establishment opponents in his race.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Federal Government Shutdown and SNAP Crisis

• Shutdown Details:

  • Day 29 of the government shutdown, with hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed (00:00–04:00).
  • Democrats hold firm: refusing any budget deal unless Trump Administration adheres to continuing budget resolutions and ACA subsidies.

• Cuts to Food Assistance:

  • The Trump administration announces plans to suspend SNAP benefits nationwide as of November 1, affecting ~42 million Americans — mainly children, elders, and the disabled (06:30–10:15).
  • USDA claims lack of funds, despite prior assurances and availability of $6 billion in contingency funds.

• Charity Can’t Cover the Gap:

  • Food banks and charities confirm they cannot compensate for the loss of SNAP:
    • “For every meal that a food bank provides, the SNAP program provides nine. We were not built to do this.” — Food bank representative (07:28)
  • Sam Seder emphasizes that the welfare state exists because private charity failed to meet basic needs historically.

2. Interview: Andrea Joy Campbell on Suing the Trump Administration over SNAP

[Main Segment: 18:36–34:26]

Background and Legal Argument

• Campbell leads a coalition (22 AGs + 3 Democratic governors) suing the USDA/Trump administration to release $6 billion in emergency SNAP funding (18:52).

• Relief Sought:

  • Court-mandated injunction to keep SNAP benefits flowing beyond Nov 1’s cutoff threat (20:57).

• Legal Basis:

  • Complaint rests on the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.
  • Argues USDA’s move is “arbitrary and capricious” and contrary to law, given contingency funds are available and Congress has authorized their use (22:11).
  • “This has never happened in the history of our country, even during government shutdowns... The Trump administration is sitting on $6 billion in a SNAP reserve fund for emergency situations just like this.” — Andrea Joy Campbell (22:30)

Impacts and Stakes

• In Massachusetts, over 1M people (nearly 60% are children and seniors, 30% disabled) depend on SNAP (23:25).
• Loss of SNAP would ripple through the entire economy, damaging grocers, schools, local government, and the health sector.
• “Hunger is not a political issue. It’s a human crisis.” — Andrea Joy Campbell (23:25)
• For every $1 spent on SNAP, $1.50 in economic activity is generated. Cutting benefits could be inflationary for food prices (25:01).

Advocacy and Multi-state Angle

• Only Democratic AGs and governors involved; no Republican AGs joined the lawsuit, reflecting partisan splits (30:23).
• The relief, if granted, would be nationwide—multi-district impact.

Human Toll

• “It will be devastating, to say the least. We as a state cannot close this gap.” — Andrea Joy Campbell (27:27)
• Food banks, churches, doctors, and schools are all engaged in the Massachusetts coalition.
• Lawsuit is about human need, not politics.

ICE/Border Accountability:

• Campbell outlines Massachusetts' formal and informal paths for reporting abuses by federal agencies (32:33).
• Massachusetts, along with other states, coordinates on protecting vulnerable populations.

3. Political Context and Analysis

• Republicans shift arguments from “We can’t do it” (fund SNAP) to “We won’t do it because SNAP is bad anyway,” with false claims about inflation and welfare (35:14–36:39).
• “It really is like using hunger as a political weapon.” — Co-host (36:39)

4. NYC Mayoral Race: Interview with ZOHRAN MAMDANI

[Main Segment: 41:44–47:27]

Campaign “Six Days Out”

• Mamdani credits his campaign’s primary win to a massive grassroots operation: 52,000 volunteers, 1.5 million doors knocked.
• “The number one thing continues to be getting people out there—not just to vote, but to canvas.” — Zohran Mamdani (42:20)
• Heavy focus on increasing turnout in early voting and leveraging out-of-state volunteers for phone banking (44:10).

Lessons and Experience

• Mamdani reflects on widespread disillusionment with political promises:
  • “If you want to inspire the sense of possibility that you can take on the biggest crises in this city... you have to honor the smallest issues.”
  • Relays how a constituent’s concern over a speed bump is as important as bigger policy promises (45:18).
• Notes that the language of dignity and justice transcends political labels, connecting his Democratic Socialism to broader, cross-cultural values (46:20).

Opposition and Bigotry

• Sam highlights fearmongering from establishment voices—especially Bill Ackman at a Saudi investment conference, warning a socialist mayor would be “catastrophic for New York” (39:53).
• Discussion of anti-Muslim and anti-left rhetoric targeting Mamdani; Mamdani’s historic campaign as part of a broader youth and multicultural political wave (50:20–51:45).

5. Notable Moments & Quotes

• “Hunger is not a political issue. It’s a human crisis.” – Andrea Joy Campbell (23:25)
• “We as a state cannot close this gap. We don’t have enough resources to cover the shortfall that would exist on November 1st.” – Andrea Joy Campbell (27:27)
• “If you want to inspire the sense of possibility... you have to honor the smallest issues.” – Zohran Mamdani (45:18)
• “Chickens for KFC... Cows for McDonald’s... I mean, I don’t know why any person who would be a Jewish person... would be ready to vote for someone who has such ties to extremists.” – Benji Irby on Newsmax, mocking anti-Mamdani rhetoric (54:25)
• “The promise of free stuff makes Jews forget that he’s an extremist.” – Benji Irby again, satirized by Sam Seder (57:16)

Notable Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–10:15: Shutdown overview and SNAP crisis
• 18:36–34:26: Interview with Andrea Joy Campbell
• 41:44–47:27: Interview with Zohran Mamdani
• 54:25–59:11: Satire and analysis of anti-Mamdani Newsmax segment

Final Takeaways

• SNAP as a Political Battleground: The Trump administration’s refusal to release emergency food funds is unprecedented and deeply harmful. The Democratic legal strategy hinges on congressional intent and established law.
• Multi-level Impact: The SNAP cutoff would harm not only recipients but also local economies—grocers, schools, public health.
• Grassroots Momentum: Mamdani’s campaign showcases the power of grassroots mobilization, with volunteers both local and national, and highlights the generational and demographic shifts in NYC politics.
• Media Fearmongering: Wealthy establishment voices and right-wing media weaponize bigotry and “free stuff” messaging to demonize Mamdani—moments that reveal underlying Islamophobia and reactionary anxiety.
• Call to Action: Multiple times, listeners are encouraged to volunteer and phone bank for the election and to support disaster recovery in Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.

Episode Tone

The conversation is urgent, analytical, and laced with the show’s characteristic irreverence and wit. Sam Seder and guests keep the focus on legislation, lived realities, political strategy, and the sometimes-absurd rhetoric from their opponents.

For more:

• To help support SNAP and hunger relief: Follow updates from your state AG’s office and national advocacy coalitions.
• To volunteer for Zohran Mamdani’s campaign: Zoran4NYC.com
• To support Hurricane Melissa recovery in Jamaica: supportjamaica.gov.jm