More than two dozen states filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Trump administration, challenging new conditions attached to billions of dollars in federal disaster and homeland security funding. The case, filed in Rhode Island, focuses on requirements related to election administration and state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It names policies issued by FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security.
The states argue that the federal government cannot compel them to alter state policies by threatening to withhold money already authorized by Congress. Their complaint says the conditions violate the Constitution’s Spending Clause and the Administrative Procedure Act. It also objects to provisions that would permit the Department of Homeland Security to end grants at its discretion.
Election-related conditions would require states to use paper ballots, manually audit voting systems, reconcile voter records and verify the citizenship of every registered voter. States that do not comply could lose at least 20% of their Homeland Security Grant Program funding, which supports efforts to prevent and respond to terrorism and cyberattacks. Potential losses total billions in federal assistance.
The lawsuit also challenges requirements concerning immigration enforcement. State officials say compliance could limit their authority over local law enforcement, weaken relationships between police and immigrant communities, and disrupt public safety and transportation programs that depend on federal grants.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said the administration was using public safety funding to pressure states into surrendering policymaking authority. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately provide a response to the Associated Press.
The dispute follows earlier court rulings that blocked similar attempts to condition transportation and FEMA funding on state cooperation with federal priorities. The states contend the administration is now applying comparable conditions to 2026 funding. The court will determine whether those requirements exceed federal authority over congressionally approved grants nationwide.