FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 29, 2025
Contact: [email protected]
919-538-2809

RALEIGH - Attorney General Jeff Jackson won a case against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for withholding state funds for emergency management, disaster relief, and homeland security operations. The court rejected the federal government's unlawful conditions on the grants, stating that the conditions were not "consistent with Congressional intent or FEMA's mission."

"The court saw through FEMA's attempt to break the law and deny money that North Carolina relies on to respond to hurricanes, natural disasters, and other emergencies," said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. "Our state is going to get back the $17 million that Congress promised so that our emergency responders and law enforcement officers are ready to respond to the next crisis."

Attorney General Jackson sued the federal agencies in November for imposing unlawful terms on the grants without congressional approval. After Congress passed a law setting how much each state should receive, the agencies unlawfully held one grant and shortened the time period on another. The two grants, the Emergency Management Performance Grant and the Homeland Security Grant Program, help fund North Carolina's emergency management response, first responders, homeland security, and terrorism prevention efforts.

During Hurricane Helene, North Carolina used these funds to activate and deploy trained emergency management personnel before and during the storm, coordinate lifesaving rescue operations and shelters, and continue to operate during widespread power and communications outages.

The grants also help fund local law enforcement. Agencies use the funds to train and conduct drills, improve school safety, conduct active shooter exercises, detect drones, and purchase equipment for bomb squads and search and rescue teams.

Together, the grants help pay the salaries of nearly 100 state emergency management workers, plus additional personnel in 100 local jurisdictions and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

A copy of the court's order is here.

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