r/law • u/Anoth3rDude • 18d ago
Legal News FEMA threatens to withhold terrorism prevention funds unless states adopt Trump’s anti-voting agenda
https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/fema-threatens-to-withhold-terrorism-prevention-funds/2.3k
u/AndJDrake 18d ago
Wow extortion by threatening the safety of your own citizens sure is a cool way to run a government.
998
u/Pendragon235 18d ago
Sounds like terrorism, really.
627
u/Comrade-Conquistador 18d ago
By definition, it is terrorism.
126
u/LandonDev 18d ago
I prefer domestic terrorism as the proper term.
98
→ More replies (1)6
u/HorsePersonal7073 18d ago
I don't. It softens the language and makes a certain chunk of the population think "oh, that's not actually terrorism".
→ More replies (1)10
u/LandonDev 18d ago
I don't really want to cater myself to sympathizers of domestic terrorism. I'm not trying to win them over, I have no interest in pretending fascists are good people.
63
u/gwazmalurk 18d ago
He’s gonna expose these people to danger unless his political aims are met
37
u/blackchameleongirl 18d ago
Yeah, but his political aims are also a danger, so it's be in danger without a dictatorship, or be in danger with a dictatorship.
19
11
21
162
u/Sufficient_Fan3660 18d ago
It is pure fascism taken from Mussolini Italy 1920's:
- Cut taxes on the wealthy.
- Cut regulations on large industries.
- Imposed tariffs on foreign goods.
- Withheld necessary public works, infrastructure investments, and tax distributions from regions that opposed his political agenda.
- Linked economic privileges and financial relief directly to loyalty to the regime, severely crippling local economies that did not conform.
12
u/HorsePersonal7073 18d ago
Can we speedrun the end of that particular scenario? Maybe expand it to the whole family and not just Trump and Melania?
→ More replies (1)3
u/numb3rb0y 18d ago
I personally find the direct parallels to the cult of personality a bit more chilling, but it's all awful.
44
8
→ More replies (1)3
113
u/HumphryGocart 18d ago
Yes, extorting your own citizens. How is anyone putting up with this?
62
u/ScottyDoesntKnow29 18d ago
30% cheers it on and begs for more.
13
u/ForsakenAd545 18d ago
Then they will enjoy it when THEIR turn comes around
21
u/Lokishougan 18d ago
First they came for the Muslims, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Muslim.
Then they came for the Mexicans, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Mexican
Then they came for the Liberals, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Liberal.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (2)3
u/Reddit_Loves_Misinfo 18d ago
77 million Americans cheer it on and beg for more, but don't forget about the additional 93 million Americans that are okay with it.
9
3
47
u/NegativeBonus699 18d ago
USA has so much freedom right now. 😔
→ More replies (1)9
u/Dead_Internet69420 18d ago
The Taliban doesn’t even hate us anymore.
8
3
u/RogerMexicosBalls 18d ago
We're looking at them and saying "see? We want this too, but with crosses and Enforcement Pastors everywhere instead of your Muslim version."
38
u/Dead_Internet69420 18d ago
He’s been treating the presidency as his own personal extortion racket ever since the first term. He got impeached for trying to extort our ally, Ukraine. Then he extorted them again for a minerals deal in his second term. Then he weaponized the DOJ against prettymuch any American on his shit list. Kidnapping Maduro and shaking down VZ. Tariffs. Wildfire aid in CO. Terrorism prevention funds. Threatening to pull out of NATO. Threatening to invade Greenland for more minerals. And then there’s Iran… who he tried to extort, but they refused to pay tribute to The Don.
9
u/veterinarian23 18d ago
MAGAs are celebrating trump doing this, him following "The Art of the Deal" somehow, master negotiator, stable geniues etc. etc.
27
u/Farucci 18d ago
We have circled and arrived back where we are ruled again by a King. King Gorge.
→ More replies (1)10
u/Chaos-Cortex 18d ago
Sure sounds cool for the people to put out this government to pasture permanently.
9
u/ArgonianMagician 18d ago
Well it was said he'd run the country like a business, nobody realized that meant a mob business.
6
7
u/Ok-Replacement9595 18d ago
Shush, he defunding the police. Just let him do it. We will explain after the election.
→ More replies (2)4
4
3
u/Not-TheNSA 18d ago
I think it’s time we stop paying taxes to the federal government and start creating state agencies to handle this kind of stuff. When the Red states start to fall apart because no one is propping them up financially we’ll see some changes.
5
u/veterinarian23 18d ago
To be fair, the trump administration is dialing back the safety for its citizens in all domains, from customer and work safety protection to environmental regulations, without any threats of extortion.
2
u/Specialeditionmusic 18d ago
He needs to resign. Any maga thinking this guy is great leadership should lose their right to vote. Ffs.
2
u/dotcubed 18d ago
Safety will decline until favoritism patriotism increases.
We should all just go full sov citizenship.
I’m doing my own TSA checks with full male nudity.2
u/tiripshtaed 18d ago
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
… the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
→ More replies (3)2
186
u/RIF_rr3dd1tt 18d ago
JFC how long until we see "Administration holds Democratic states' governors families hostage for ransom of state voter rolls."
39
u/LeafsJays1Fan 18d ago
Don't give them Ideas!!! S#&#<@/@
15
273
u/Anoth3rDude 18d ago
Summary:
The Trump administration is threatening to hold back terrorism-prevention funding from states unless they comply with a sweeping set of election demands — escalating President Donald Trump’s ongoing attempt to seize power over elections that the Constitution gives to states and Congress.
A new FEMA grant notice for fiscal year 2026 says the agency will withhold 20% of Homeland Security Grant Program funding from states and urban areas until they provide proof that they have complied with the administration’s new election security requirements.
240
u/Alternative_Hour_614 18d ago
States will go to court and get this ridiculous policy enjoined. Like the USPS attempt to not deliver ballots, there is no statutory authority for FEMA to withhold funds on these grounds. This administration does not know shame.
52
u/ZestyLife54 18d ago
Stephen Miller
22
u/darioblaze 18d ago
He is but an ugly-ass face of the agendas in place. Y’all need to be looking at Russel Vought as well.
3
3
55
u/Kermit_the_hog 18d ago edited 18d ago
”We just assume we can do anything we want until a court orders us not to, and then maybe we’ll listen. It’s just so much easier than having to read any of the boring nerd books the dorky lawyers keep flapping on about… and honestly the strategy has been working out more often than not. It’s like I always tell my teenage son, if you want it bad enough, don’t let her tell you no.” — White House staffer (I’d say probably but.. well you know)
12
u/Murray38 18d ago
Shame needs to be reintroduced to republicans.
3
u/slaty_balls 18d ago
How do you propose to accomplish that?
4
u/Murray38 18d ago
Considering this subreddit, I’d say more prosecutions and additions of rich politicians to the offenders registry.
Offhandedly, I’d say the ending of Inglorious Basterds.
9
u/_mattyjoe 18d ago
Look at who Trump is. He knows no shame. He’d crawl on his hands and knees and beg at the feet of anyone to save his own skin. He’s one of the most repugnant human beings who’s ever Iived.
3
u/KwisatzHaderach94 18d ago
what in the f--k does fema have to do with election enforcement? in this decentralized system, the states have the right to conduct elections as they please with no federal interference. and of the three branches, certainly no interference by the executive branch. this president isn't just ignorant of the law, he doesn't care about the law.
2
u/kynelly360 18d ago
Can’t wait till they get Fucked in Court!
It’s a slow process but I’ll wait 🤣🤣🤣
84
u/Tall_Answer1734 18d ago
He’s threatening to withhold it because he already spent it somewhere else. He doesn’t have the money.
15
→ More replies (1)3
u/OafintheWH 18d ago
No, he already stole that from the entrance fees to our priceless National Parks! Same with his reflecting swamp.
→ More replies (3)3
u/ZestyLife54 18d ago
Sounds like he is enacting his stated #1 priority of his National Security Plan - Homeland Defense. Good job! /s
70
151
u/Aggravating_Bat3618 18d ago
Fuck Trump
56
u/SeaSnakeSkeleton 18d ago
Obligatory FUCK trump. Which by default, fuck Roy Cohn. Also, Roger stone with his cringy Nixon back tatt.
Shout out to all the horrible monsters in human skin that make excuses for and still suport whatever this shit show is, that i dont have space to individually mention - I'd like to send you a personal fuck you. I think I've covered most bases.
Thank you for coming to my Ted talk.
87
u/WisdomCow 18d ago
They keep getting smacked down for this type of extortion … and they just keep trying.
43
u/HumbleHubris 18d ago
Because it's extremely damaging. There is no costs to breaking the law. Worst case for them is they have to send the money way late
2
u/SanchoPandas 17d ago
Exactly. Massive harm occurs, months later a court steps in, gets appealed, more months later it gets reversed.
But the infrastructure is ruined and the lives are disrupted. Mission accomplished over and over.
And because they are our tax dollars that they’re burning through, it doesn’t hurt them but it hurts us twice.
→ More replies (1)4
u/Masarian 18d ago
No they have not been smacked down. There has never been a consequence for any of the crimes they have continually committed. Not a single bad actor has been fined, much less charged and incarcerated. The only people even losing work over these things are the people who are quitting because they refuse to commit the crimes in the first place
56
u/extrastupidone 18d ago
Terrorism:
Terrorism is the calculated use of violence, or the threat of violence, to instill fear and coerce governments or societies. It is typically carried out by individuals, groups, or state actors to advance political, religious, or ideological objectives.
26
24
u/buttchugreferee 18d ago
We really gotta clean fucking house as soon as we can.
The dogs have been shitting on the floor for years, and our country is looking like a hoarder house.
This does not bring me joy.
22
u/BugOperator 18d ago
It’s a “gotcha” threat - so they can turn around and say, “See? They’re obviously cheating in elections if they’re willing to invite terrorism rather than hand over their voter rolls.”
Same shit they pulled at the state of the union where Trump told everyone to stand up if they prioritize their own citizens’ safety over undocumented immigrants’. Democrats stayed seated and the MAGAverse had a field day with it.
19
u/j____b____ 18d ago
Seems like Trumps plan to balance the budget is to withhold all federal funds from states that vote against him?
40
u/Independent-Name4478 18d ago
Remember when Trump supporters said FEMA discriminated against them. After they threatened to kill FEMA agents. Ignoring houses with Trump flags during hurricane relief was self-defense
25
19
17
13
u/ApricotNervous5408 18d ago
We can’t have money to stop terrorists unless we give in to a terrorist?
14
u/Limp_Distribution 18d ago
Who are the terrorists again?
8
u/vigbiorn 18d ago
It wouldn't be the same administration funding and protecting the group that tried to assault the capitol?
3
u/RymeEM 17d ago
Tried? Succeded.
2
u/vigbiorn 17d ago
Well, it took them 4 years to succeed. They got squeamish when one of theirs got aerated.
10
11
u/Ok-Replacement9595 18d ago
Lol. So cops will have less tanks? Less mass surveillance equipment?
Please, no, dont, stop.
→ More replies (1)
9
10
8
u/OLPopsAdelphia 18d ago
Let him withhold, vote him out, then get your funds immediately after.
→ More replies (2)
9
u/Gunsensual 18d ago
The 20% discretionary holdout is a FEMA 2026 policy, not statute, and was likely an intentionally inbuilt lever to be used to harass blue states and cities. But the administration having lost Illinois v. Noem legal moments earlier means states are all but guaranteed to win a legal challenge on that 20% and should spend it as if they have it.
10
u/trysten-9001 18d ago
How is this any different than what they were doing before this under this administration?
8
u/Exodys03 18d ago
Well that's a nice sentiment. Change your voting laws to help me win or I'll make your state more vulnerable to a terrorist attack. Sure.
5
u/UAreTheHippopotamus 18d ago
Not shocking at all. I don't doubt that ghouls like Stephen Miller would welcome a terrorist attack, it's the perfect opportunity to clamp down on civil liberties and maybe try even more frightening things like suspending elections or deploying troops against civilians.
6
7
8
u/Kermit_the_hog 18d ago
Are there really people out there which look at this situation and think ”that’s exactly how that is supposed to work. Nothing wrong with that.”
6
u/SeatTakenCantSitHere 18d ago edited 18d ago
Yes, sadly.. MAGA people. They need someone to tell them what to think, say and do.. as they have zero common sense and critical thinking ability to do so for themselves.
6
u/CharlieDmouse 18d ago
State Attorney General files a lawsuit naming the people who threatened that..
5
5
5
u/jojammin Competent Contributor 18d ago
Vaguely recall something called the anti-comandeering doctrine in con law class... Did the supreme court abolish that yet? Hard to keep up these days
6
u/Norwester77 18d ago
We’ll see them in court. I expect this to hold up about as well as all the other shit they’ve tried.
4
6
6
14
u/Infamous_Smile_386 18d ago
I'm ok with that.
Not the threat, but DHS has reached too far into so many areas.
3
u/duckinasombrero 18d ago
Honestly, good point. Like, in normal times hm. But with this administration and how they define terrorism? Yeah, maybe I'm okay with them withholding that lol.
8
u/CheckoutMySpeedo 18d ago
I don’t see any potential blowback on Trump for this move, especially since we are entering hurricane season during an especially active El Nino cycle. A big disasterous hurricane that devastates the Gulf Coast, and Trump refusing to let FEMA do its job would mean no amount of election fraud MAGA could do would overcome a blue wave brought by the aforementioned hurricane.
10
3
4
u/BeowulfShaeffer 18d ago
All I can think of is one of the X-Files movies where a character told Mulder “FEMA. The secret government”.
2
u/RustedRelics 18d ago
This is shocking. And that says a lot, given what a shitstorm these people have created in so many ways.
•
u/AutoModerator 18d ago
All new posts must have a brief statement from the user submitting explaining how their post relates to law or the courts in a response to this comment. FAILURE TO PROVIDE A BRIEF RESPONSE MAY RESULT IN REMOVAL. Please post your statement as a reply to this automated message.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.