More than two dozen states, led by California, filed a lawsuit against DHS and FEMA in Rhode Island federal court, challenging conditions that tie disaster and counterterrorism funding to election administration and immigration enforcement. The states argue these conditions rewrite state election laws and threaten billions in funding if states refuse to comply. They contend the policy violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the Spending Clause of the Constitution. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha called it political intimidation that endangers public safety; FEMA says the challenges reflect partisan pushback against safeguards for election security. The administration argues the measures are common-sense steps to protect election integrity and national security, citing prior legal defeats as not deterring ongoing efforts. The case highlights a larger clash over federal leverage in disaster funding amid a charged electoral moment.