started · updated
Federal judge blocks Trump administration from tying counterterrorism funds to election rules
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from withholding federal counterterrorism funding from states that fail to meet specific election administration requirements. In a 24-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ruled that federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, lack the Congressional authority to attach such conditions to grants, noting they did not meet legal thresholds to be related to the underlying purpose of the funding.
The dispute arose from a FEMA announcement stating that 20% of counterterrorism grants—part of a program exceeding $1 billion—would be withheld unless jurisdictions complied with new mandates. These requirements included verifying the citizenship of all registered voters and election workers, as well as transitioning from electronic voting systems using barcodes or QR codes to hand-marked paper ballots.
The lawsuit was brought by several plaintiffs, including Columbus, Ohio; Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee; and various counties in Texas. Plaintiffs argued the administration was using community safety funds as a bargaining chip for partisan election policy changes.
Entities
Amir Ali · Department of Homeland Security · Donald Trump · Federal Emergency Management Agency · Nashville
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 8 SOURCES] Federal agencies lack Congressional authority to attach election-related conditions to counterterrorism grants. looniepolitics.com · wpln.org · www.dtnext.in · www.bangordailynews.com · www.deccanchronicle.com · +3 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The counterterrorism grant program involves more than $1 billion for state, local, and tribal governments. looniepolitics.com · www.dtnext.in · www.bangordailynews.com · gulfnews.com · www.newsday.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] FEMA announced that 20% of counterterrorism grants would be withheld from states and urban areas until they meet specific election-related requirements. looniepolitics.com · www.dtnext.in · www.bangordailynews.com · gulfnews.com · www.newsday.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Required election conditions included verifying the citizenship of all registered voters and election workers. looniepolitics.com · www.dtnext.in · www.bangordailynews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The administration required jurisdictions using electronic voting systems with barcodes or QR codes to plan a switch to hand-marked paper ballots. looniepolitics.com · www.dtnext.in · www.bangordailynews.com