Biden-Appointed Canadian-born Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Tying FEMA Anti-Terrorism Grants to Election Security Requirements

U.S. District Judge Amir Ali, a Biden appointee, ruled that FEMA exceeded its authority by attempting to condition Homeland Security Grant Program funds on election security measures. The judge vacated requirements for states and urban areas to verify voter citizenship, check poll worker citizenship, use hand-marked paper ballots, and conduct post-election audits. The decision sided with Democrat-run cities and counties that sued over these conditions, deeming them outside the scope of counterterrorism funding.

• Judge Amir Ali blocked FEMA from withholding 20 percent of Homeland Security Grant Program funds.
• The withheld funds were tied to election security measures like voter citizenship verification and paper ballots.
• The judge ruled FEMA exceeded its statutory authority by imposing these conditions.
• Plaintiffs included local governments in Texas, Tennessee, and Ohio.
• The ruling is seen as a setback for the Trump administration’s efforts to harden elections.