The Trump administration has been accused of redirecting anti-terrorism funds from Democratic-led states to Republican-controlled ones under a new allocation plan for the $1 billion Homeland Security Grants programme, government records reveal.
Twelve Democratic-led states have filed a lawsuit seeking to block the changes, alleging that the administration is punishing states that refused to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had initially released estimated allocations in August, but those figures were sharply revised downward for several Democratic-leaning states in late September. Washington, D.C. saw its grant slashed by 70%, Illinois by 69%, New Jersey by 49%, and California by 31%. In contrast, Republican-leaning states such as Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Ohio all won by Trump in 2024 recorded the largest percentage increases.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees FEMA, denied any political motivation behind the revisions, saying the adjustments were based on “a methodical, risk-informed analysis” that factored in threats such as transnational organised crime and illegal border crossings.
Created after the September 11, 2001, attacks, the Homeland Security Grants programme was designed to help states and cities prevent terrorism and other violent threats. Though the funds represent a small portion of federal aid to states, critics say the redistribution is part of a wider pattern of politically influenced funding decisions by the Trump administration.
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In recent months, the administration has also cut billions of dollars in energy and infrastructure funding to Democratic-led states, including New York and California. Trump himself has publicly tied funding decisions to politics, saying during the recent government shutdown, “We’re only cutting Democrat programmes.”
A federal judge in Rhode Island has temporarily blocked the administration from disbursing the grants until the case is resolved. New York, which initially faced a 77% reduction, saw its allocation restored after Trump announced a reversal earlier this month without providing further explanation.
If the cuts proceed, California could lose $55 million in anti-terrorism funding, despite being slated to host major international events such as Super Bowl LX, several FIFA World Cup matches, and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Florida’s allocation would increase by 76% under the new formula.
Congress has mandated that FEMA allocate a portion of the funds to every state, taking into account specific threats and vulnerabilities. However, state officials have criticised the administration for drastically shortening the application window from several months to just two weeks, describing the process as rushed and politically charged.
