FEMA is threatening to withhold federal terrorism prevention funds from states that do not change their election policies.
Posted by IHIP News, Checked
- Sources
- 7 support2 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 90%
IHIP NewsSep 20, 2026
As of the September 20, 2026 posting date, FEMA had threatened to withhold 20% of counterterrorism grant funds from states and localities that did not adopt election changes such as citizenship database checks and paper-ballot exploration. A federal judge blocked that policy on September 28, after the post, which does not make the claim false as of its date.
This claim is about the present, so it is judged as of the day it was checked.
What was said
… aside from the FBI, which is the Homeland Security, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, Senator Boosterbunk, Mark Wayne Mullen, claimed election officials may face prison time if they do not comply with Trump's attempts to change election policies. FEMA is threatening that if states do not change election policies, they'll risk losing millions in federal terrorism prevention funds. Trump has also cut funds for election security, and so we're asking you guys very seriously: use your critical thinking here. Is this guy planning another January six? Is he planning that for the midterms? …
IHIP News · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. The New York Times reports that FEMA warned state and local governments in June it would withhold up to 20% of some terrorism-preparedness grants unless officials demonstrated they were exploring paper ballots or verifying voters' citizenship.[7]
Supports. Reuters reports DHS had planned to withhold 20% of anti-terrorism grant funding until state or local governments adopted election administration measures favored by the administration.[1]
Supports. The Hill reports FEMA said states and localities would have to adopt five election policies, including a citizenship-check database, or the administration would withhold 20 percent of the funds.[8]
Supports. State attorney general press releases from July 2026 describe a 26-state lawsuit challenging FEMA and DHS grant conditions that would require states to change how they conduct elections.[3][4][5][6]
Context. The Conversation (July 2026) reports FEMA's grant guidelines threatened to withhold counterterrorism funds from states that do not comply with election directives, including SAVE database verification of voters.[9]
Context. Judge Amir Ali ruled on September 28, 2026 that FEMA lacked authority to withhold these grants over election changes. This later ruling does not change whether the threat existed on the September 20 posting date.[1][2][7]
Context. The post's word 'millions' is loosely consistent with reported grant totals of about $1 billion annually, 20% of which was at stake. The claim's 'terrorism prevention' label matches the counterterrorism and preparedness grants described.[7]
Sources
9 sources: 2 fact-checkers, 4 primary, 1 tier 2, 1 tier 1, 1 not rated
- 1Judge blocks Trump from tying anti-terrorism grants to election changesreuters.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports, context
- 2Trump can't force election changes by blocking counterterrorism funds to states, judge saysapnews.com · fact-checker · cited for: context
- 3AG Jennings files lawsuit challenging unlawful conditions on federal counterterrorism fundingnews.delaware.gov · primary source · cited for: supports
- 4AG Nessel Files Lawsuit Challenging Unlawful Conditions ...michigan.gov · primary source · cited for: supports
- 5Attorney General Tong Files Lawsuit Challenging Unlawful ...portal.ct.gov · primary source · cited for: supports
- 6AG Campbell Files Lawsuit Challenging Unlawful Conditions On ...mass.gov · primary source · cited for: supports
- 7Judge Blocks FEMA From Tying Antiterrorism Grants to ...nytimes.com · tier 2 · cited for: supports, context
- 8Court blocks Trump bid to withhold some counterterrorism ...thehill.com · tier 1 · cited for: supports
- 9Is withholding federal counterterrorism funds from statestheconversation.com · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
Related claims
- The Department of Homeland Security threatened states with fines and charges over election measures.True
- Secretary of Homeland Security Mark Wayne Mullen threatened election officials with criminal prosecution if they did not put Trump's election changes into effect.True
- The Department of Justice has threatened to charge state officials if they find election fraud or unauthorized voting.True
- The Department of Homeland Security has conducted a voter roll purge.Mixed
- The Trump administration has cut funds for election security.True