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States File Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over Disaster Aid Funding Conditions
Twenty-six states accuse the Trump administration in a new lawsuit of illegally threatening to withhold billions in counterterrorism and emergency preparedness funds from states that don’t adopt sweeping election changes or cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. The Federal Emergency Management…
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Key points
- Twenty-six states are suing the Trump administration over conditions tied to disaster aid funding.
- The lawsuit claims that withholding funds for political compliance is unconstitutional.
- States argue that public safety funding should not be used as leverage for political agendas.
NewsWK — In a significant legal move, 26 states have initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming it has unlawfully threatened to withhold billions in vital counterterrorism and emergency preparedness funds. This action is contingent upon states adopting extensive election reforms and cooperating with federal immigration policies.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security implemented new policies in June that link federal aid to compliance with the administration’s political objectives. This marks the third such challenge, as previous attempts have been blocked by federal judges who deemed them unconstitutional. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, who is co-leading the lawsuit, stated, “We refer to this case, colloquially, as ‘FEMA 3.0,’ and it’s because it’s the third case that we have had to file in the federal district court here in Rhode Island to force the federal government to return to this state and to our fellow states monies for emergency preparedness.”
Co-leaders of the lawsuit, including attorneys general from New Jersey, California, and Illinois, emphasized that the president and federal agencies cannot unilaterally alter funding appropriated by Congress. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul noted, “Congress holds the power of the purse, and state legislatures set state election laws. No amount of bullying from the president will change these facts.”
New Jersey’s annual federal aid, amounting to $55 million, is at risk, with concerns heightened in light of ongoing security threats stemming from international conflicts. New Jersey Attorney General Jen Davenport remarked, “This federal funding is not just numbers on a spreadsheet; it is the shield that keeps New Jerseyans and all Americans safe from disaster.”
The lawsuit names FEMA, its administrator Robert J. Fenton, and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin as defendants. In response, FEMA described the lawsuit as “partisan pushback” from several states and maintained that the new requirements aim to enhance election integrity. The agency stated, “Election security is national security, and protecting our critical infrastructure remains a top priority for the Trump Administration.”
Under the new federal guidelines, FEMA could terminate grants for any reason and the Department of Homeland Security could withhold 20% of a state’s counterterrorism funding if it does not implement the desired election changes. Critics argue that such requirements are unnecessary and could misidentify citizens, undermining public safety during emergencies.
Other states involved in the lawsuit include Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Based on reporting by Dana DiFilippo originally published by Stateline. Read the original story.
