More than two dozen states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over new conditions attached to federal disaster and homeland security grants, arguing the requirements unlawfully pressure states to change election procedures and support federal immigration enforcement.
The complaint, filed in federal court in Rhode Island, challenges policies from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. The states say the grant terms would force them to alter voting systems, assist DHS with immigration enforcement and accept provisions allowing the department to terminate grants at any time and for any reason.
The case centers on funding used for disaster preparedness, emergency response, cybersecurity and counterterrorism programs. State officials argue the conditions could put critical public safety resources at risk if they refuse to comply.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said the administration was “threatening to jeopardize public safety by unlawfully withholding billions in critical funding.” He said states should not be forced to give up their authority to set policies and laws for their residents in order to access congressionally approved funds.
The states contend that placing election and immigration conditions on appropriated grant funding violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution’s spending clause.
FEMA rejected the claims, with a spokesperson describing the lawsuit as “partisan pushback” against measures intended to protect election security and the integrity of American democracy.
“Election security is national security, and protecting our critical infrastructure remains a top priority for the Trump Administration,” the spokesperson said, adding that concerns over voting processes, data security and registration practices required action.
Among the disputed requirements, states say they would be required to transition to paper-ballot systems, conduct manual audits of voting systems, reconcile voter rolls and verify the citizenship of every registered voter in state databases.
Failure to comply could place at least 20% of Homeland Security Grant Program funding at risk, according to the lawsuit. The program supports state and local efforts to prevent, prepare for and respond to terrorism, cyberattacks and other security threats.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, one of the plaintiffs, said the administration was holding homeland security and disaster response funding “hostage” as part of an effort to influence election administration.
The lawsuit follows earlier legal challenges to Trump administration efforts to attach policy conditions to federal funding. Courts have previously blocked similar attempts involving FEMA, DHS and transportation funding, finding that the administration could not redirect or withhold funds from states based on unrelated policy demands. The latest case argues the administration is attempting to apply comparable conditions to 2026 grant funding.
