Kris Mayes files 30th lawsuit against Trump administration, this time over FEMA funding

PHOENIX — After a series of natural disasters hit Arizona — especially Tempe and Globe-Miami — Attorney General Kris Mayes is suing the Trump administration to secure federal disaster aid.

On Tuesday, Mayes joined 11 other states in suing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal leaders for allegedly interfering with disaster aid funding.

With this move, Arizona has now joined 30 multistate lawsuits challenging Trump administration policies.

While that number might seem high, Attorney General Kris Mayes told KTAR News 92.3 FM that her legal actions have saved the state $1.5 billion.

AG Mayes hopes lawsuit will protect access to disaster aid, FEMA grants

This latest lawsuit challenges additions President Donald Trump’s administration has made to two long-standing grants that help states: the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) and the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP).

“The Trump administration is trying to claw back money we use to protect the border, including for protective equipment and vehicles for law enforcement on the ground and to support emergency preparedness and terrorism response preparation,” Mayes said in a Tuesday announcement.  

More than $83 million in Arizona’s emergency preparedness funding is at risk, she added.

“They are also trying to withhold 50% of the funds we use to respond to emergencies in Arizona,” Mayes said.

Simply put, the coalition believes the Trump administration is making it harder for states to secure aid the states are owed. They allege that federal authorities are interfering with grants already promised to the states for emergency management, disaster-relief and homeland security operations.

“This is the 30th lawsuit my office has filed,” Mayes said. “It’s a prime example of why I am stepping in — to stop the harm to our law enforcement and frontline responders, while protecting funding for Arizona to secure the border and respond to threats.”

Related

FEMA and SBA representatives arrive in Tempe to assess damage from October microburstVeterans aid Tempe cleanup after devastating microburst stormTempe opening Disaster Assistance Center for residents impacted by storms3 injured in early-morning shooting in Glendale neighborhood near State Farm StadiumIndoor rainforest project near Scottsdale put on hold after tribal council delays votePedestrian left in critical condition after hit-and-run in west Phoenix