Trump barred from hinging counterterror funds on state election rules

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., barred the Trump administration from holding back certain counterterrorism grant funding from states that do not comply with select election security measures.

Trump barred from hinging counterterror funds on state election rules

TL;DR

  • A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from withholding counterterrorism grant funding from states.
  • The funding was contingent on states complying with specific election security measures.
  • The judge ruled that election administration issues are not related to counterterrorism efforts.
  • The Department of Homeland Security had threatened to withhold 20% of grants.
  • The conditions included changes to ballot counting, auditing, and voter verification.
  • Several cities had sued the Department of Homeland Security over the policy.
  • The judge vacated the election administration conditions and the 20% holdback requirement.