A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from requiring states to make specific election changes in order to receive Homeland Security counterterrorism grants, according to multiple outlets.
The Trump administration had threatened to withhold some Homeland Security money unless states explored paper balloting and citizenship verification, according to The New York Times.
The judge said FEMA never explained how the election changes it wanted were "tied to the goal of shoring up vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks," according to CNBC.
The ruling was issued by Washington-based District Judge Amir Ali, according to The Jerusalem Post, which described the decision as the latest defeat for President Donald Trump in his effort to increase federal authority over elections ahead of midterms.
How each side covered it
Left
- The New York Times reported the Trump administration threatened to withhold Homeland Security money over election changes.
- Coverage specified the demanded changes included paper balloting and citizenship verification.
“The Trump administration had threatened to withhold some Homeland Security money unless states explored paper balloting and citizenship verification.” — The New York Times
Center
- CNBC and Reuters reported the judge blocked the funding condition.
- CNBC quoted the judge's finding that FEMA did not explain how the changes related to terrorism vulnerabilities.
“The judge said FEMA never explained how the election changes it wanted were "tied to the goal of shoring up vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks."” — CNBC
Right
- The Jerusalem Post identified the judge as District Judge Amir Ali.
- The Jerusalem Post framed the ruling as another defeat for President Trump's push for more federal election authority ahead of midterms.
“The decision by Washington-based District Judge Amir Ali marks the latest defeat for President Donald Trump in his bid to increase the federal government's authority over elections ahead of midterms.” — The Jerusalem Post
Questions readers ask
What happened with the FEMA grants ruling?
A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from requiring states to make election changes, such as paper balloting or citizenship verification, in order to receive Homeland Security counterterrorism grants.
Why did the judge block the funding condition?
According to CNBC, the judge said FEMA never explained how the election changes it sought were tied to reducing vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks.
Who issued the ruling?
The ruling was issued by Washington-based District Judge Amir Ali, according to The Jerusalem Post.
What did left-, center-, and right-leaning outlets focus on?
The New York Times emphasized the specific election changes the administration sought, CNBC and Reuters focused on the legal reasoning behind the block, and The Jerusalem Post framed the ruling within a broader pattern of setbacks for President Donald Trump on election authority ahead of midterms.
Sources · 11 outlet reports
- Associated PressLeft-leaningTrump can’t force election changes by blocking counterterrorism funds to states, judge says
- PoliticoLeft-leaningTrump administration cannot tie anti-terrorism grants to election security, judge rules
- The New York TimesLeft-leaningJudge Blocks FEMA From Tying Antiterrorism Grants to Election Changes
- The Washington PostLeft-leaningFEMA can’t condition security grants on election changes, judge says
- CNBCCenterFeds can't withhold counterterrorism funds from states to force election admin changes, judge rules
- ReutersCenterJudge blocks Trump from tying anti-terrorism grants to election changes
- UPICenterJudge: FEMA can’t withhold anti-terrorism money over election rules
- Independent Journal ReviewRight-leaningJudge blocks FEMA from conditioning counterterrorism grants on election changes
- NewsmaxRight-leaningElection Rules Tied to FEMA Counterterrorism Funds Voided
- The Jerusalem PostRight-leaningUS judge blocks Trump admin. attempt to tie local counterterror funds to election changes
- The Washington TimesRight-leaningTrump can't force election changes by blocking counterterrorism funds to states, judge says