US court blocks tying funds to election changes — Jerusalem Post

A federal judge in Washington, US, blocked an attempt by President Donald Trump’s administration to link the allocation of counterterrorism funds to local authorities with changes in election administration. As The Jerusalem Post reports, District Judge Amir Ali issued the ruling on Monday.

Funding conditions

Earlier this year, the US Department of Homeland Security announced it would withhold 20% of funding under grant programs related to preparing for terrorist attacks and other threats. This portion of the funds was not to be paid until state authorities or local bodies introduced election administration measures supported by the administration.

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Lawsuits by local authorities

Judge Ali sided with counties and cities from Texas, Ohio and Tennessee that challenged the new funding conditions. The plaintiffs argued that imposing such requirements exceeded the authority of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The ruling was another legal setback for President Trump in his effort to expand the federal government’s authority over elections ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. In them, the Republican Party will fight to retain narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress.