Trump can’t force election changes by blocking counterterrorism funds to states, judge says

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that President Donald Trump's administration cannot block counterterrorism funding to states that do not adhere to its election administration demands. U.S. District Judge Amir Ali stated in a 24-page opinion that federal agencies lack the authority to attach such conditions to grants.

The lawsuit, brought by Columbus, Ohio; Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee; and El Paso and Harris counties in Texas, challenged the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) inclusion of election-related requirements in antiterrorism grant announcements. The plaintiffs argued that FEMA, under its governing statute and the Constitution, does not have the authority to impose those conditions.

The grant program, which includes over $1 billion for states and local and tribal governments, requires states to verify voter citizenship and election worker eligibility, switch to hand-marked paper ballots for electronic voting systems, and conduct audits of election results. These actions come ahead of November's midterm elections, where Democrats aim to gain control of Congress and check Trump's power.