Trump Can't Force Election Changes by Blocking Counterterrorism Funds to States, Judge Says
Judge Amir Ali said FEMA exceeded its authority by tying 20% of state counterterrorism grants to election-rule changes.
- On Monday, District Judge Amir Ali vacated a Federal Emergency Management Agency rule conditioning counterterrorism grants on election administration changes, ruling the agency lacked congressional authorization for such requirements.
- Earlier this year, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced the department would withhold 20% of funding from about $1.1 billion in counterterrorism grants unless states adopted hand-marked paper ballots, manual audits, and citizenship-verification procedures.
- Ali wrote that Congress did not authorize using grant programs for election reforms, and the agency failed to explain how these conditions relate to stopping terrorism. The judge noted the requirements address routine election administration, not terrorist threats.
- Local governments including Columbus, Ohio; Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee; and Harris, Texas, filed the lawsuit challenging the mandates as unconstitutional and exceeding statutory authority, with Ali siding with the plaintiffs.
- The Brennan Center, representing plaintiffs, stated the administration's attempts to seize control over elections 'violate the Constitution,' while a separate legal challenge from a coalition of states remains pending.
36 Articles
36 Articles
South China Morning Post
Judge blocks Trump from tying anti-terrorism grants to election changes
A US judge blocked the Trump administration on Monday from conditioning counterterrorism funds to state and local governments on changes to election administration. The decision by Washington-based US District Judge Amir Ali marks the latest defeat for US President Donald Trump in his bid to increase the federal government’s authority over elections ahead of the November 3 midterms, when his Republicans are fighting to retain majorities in both…
Judge Bars Tying FEMA Grants to Trump's Election Changes
Federal emergency grants leading to prepare cities for terror attacks can't be used as raising to change how states run elections, a federal judge ruled Monday. Judge Amir H. Ali of the US District Court in Washington, DC, blocked a Trump administration policy that threats to cut up to 20%...
US judge blocks Trump bid to tie terror grants to election rules
A US judge has blocked the Trump administration from tying FEMA counterterrorism grants to state election rules. The ruling reinforces limits on federal agencies and adds to setbacks over election oversight.
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