ScienceCourt ruling

Judge Blocks Administration From Withholding AntiTerrorism Grants

Published 4d ago · Latest report 4d ago

Covered in 2 countries

AI summary35s readNegative

A federal judge blocked the administration from conditioning counterterrorism grants on state election rule changes.

A federal judge has ruled that the administration cannot withhold counterterrorism grants from state and local governments over proposed election changes. The decision halts federal pressure on jurisdictions to adopt paper balloting and citizenship verification measures. This ruling represents a legal setback for executive efforts to alter voting procedures through funding conditions.

Washington-based federal judge Amir Ali issued the ruling on Monday.
The Trump administration sought to withhold Homeland Security money from noncompliant states.
Federal authorities had demanded that jurisdictions explore paper balloting and citizenship verification.

Why it matters

Federal grants distributed by the Department of Homeland Security often come with administrative conditions, sparking frequent legal battles between states and the executive branch over federal overreach into local election administration.