More Than 24 States Sue Trump Over Billions in Disaster Funds as 20% Grants Face Cuts
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 23
More Than 24 States Sue Trump Over Billions in Disaster Funds as 20% Grants Face Cuts
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 23
Summary
More than two dozen states filed suit in Rhode Island on Thursday, challenging FEMA and DHS rules that tie billions of dollars in disaster funding to election-system changes and immigration enforcement cooperation.
At least 20% of Homeland Security Grant Program money is at risk if states refuse requirements including paper ballots, manual audits, voter-roll reconciliation and citizenship verification of every registered voter.
The lawsuit says the administration is unlawfully attaching new conditions to congressionally appropriated funds, violating the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution’s spending clause while letting DHS cancel grants at any time.
Federal courts have repeatedly blocked similar Trump funding tactics, including rulings last year against conditions on FEMA aid and this year against redirecting DHS money from states deemed unsupportive.
The case adds to a broader clash over Washington using federal grants to force mostly Democratic states to align with White House priorities on immigration, elections and other policy areas.
When federal security funds come with election mandates, what are a state's options?
Could mandated voting changes and citizenship checks introduce new risks for elections?
Unstable Ground: The 2025 BRIC Program Termination, Legal Reinstatement, and Lingering Vulnerabilities in U.S. Disaster Mitigation
Overview
In April 2025, the Trump administration abruptly terminated the BRIC program, freezing around 2,000 disaster mitigation projects nationwide. This led a coalition of 22 states and D.C. to sue the federal government, sparking a lengthy legal battle. Despite ongoing court proceedings and pressure from state officials, FEMA did not restart the program until a court order in July 2026 mandated its reinstatement. Although the BRIC program has now relaunched, communities still face uncertainty about when previously awarded grant funds will be distributed, highlighting ongoing challenges in disaster resilience and federal support.