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Judge Blocks Trump’s FEMA Funding Conditions on States

10/15/2025

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. District Judge William E. Smith ruled that the Trump administration could not require states to aid immigration actions to receive FEMA disaster funding.
He ordered the Department of Homeland Security to amend communications and remove the conditions, calling the actions a 'ham-handed attempt to bully' states.
A lawsuit by 20 Democratic state attorneys general argued the conditions jeopardize disaster funding.
The administration has faced legal challenges over funding restrictions.

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Story summary

U.S. District Judge William E. Smith ruled that the Trump administration could not require states to aid immigration actions to receive FEMA disaster funding.
He ordered the Department of Homeland Security to amend communications and remove the conditions, calling the actions a 'ham-handed attempt to bully' states.
A lawsuit by 20 Democratic state attorneys general argued the conditions jeopardize disaster funding.
The administration has faced legal challenges over funding restrictions.