Judge blocks Trump from tying anti-terrorism grants to election changes

On Monday, a federal judge issued a ruling that prevents the Trump administration from making counterterrorism grants contingent on modifications to election administration practices.

This decision by US District Judge Amir Ali represents another setback for President Donald Trump’s efforts to expand federal control over elections as the November midterm elections approach, where Republicans are striving to maintain their majorities in Congress.

Earlier in the year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declared its intention to withhold 20% of funds from counterterrorism grant programs until state and local governments implemented election administration changes endorsed by the administration.

In Monday’s ruling, Judge Ali sided with municipalities in Texas, Ohio, and Tennessee that sued to prevent the changes, arguing that conditioning funds exceeded the authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Meanwhile, a separate lawsuit by a coalition of predominantly Democratic-led states against the policy is still underway.

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