The lawsuit, filed in federal court in California, challenges efforts by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to withhold more than $350 million in grants
Santa Monica has joined 28 other local governments in suing the Trump administration over new conditions tied to federal emergency and disaster preparedness grants, arguing the requirements are unconstitutional and threaten public safety.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in California, challenges efforts by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to withhold more than $350 million in grants unless local governments adopt certain federal immigration enforcement policies and end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
City officials said the restrictions could jeopardize essential programs that support first responders, disaster mitigation and emergency preparedness for more than 30 million residents across the country.
“Wildfires don’t have a political agenda, and our ability to respond to any disaster should not be determined by who is in power at any given time,” Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete said in a statement.
The Santa Monica City Council approved joining the lawsuit at its Sept. 30 meeting.
The city receives about $2 million annually from FEMA to fund regional firefighter training, emergency response exercises and specialized search and rescue equipment. Those funds could be at risk if the new conditions remain in place, officials said.
The case — *County of Santa Clara v. Noem* (Case No. 3:25-cv-8330) — is led by the County of Santa Clara and the City and County of San Francisco, with legal representation from the nonprofit Public Rights Project.
Other plaintiffs include Los Angeles, San Diego, Pasadena, Oakland, and several counties across California, Washington and Arizona.
