Maryland AG Joins Multi-State Lawsuit to Restore Counterterrorism Funding Cut by Federal Agencies

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, alongside attorneys general from Colorado, Hawaiʻi, Michigan, Minnesota, and Rhode Island, has initiated legal action against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, aims to recover millions of dollars in grant funding that were abruptly terminated, impacting states’ ability to prevent targeted violence and combat terrorism. The grant program in question, the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) grant, was established by Congress in 2020 to support proactive counterterrorism and targeted violence prevention efforts at the local level.

These funds have served as a crucial financial lifeline for various entities, including state agencies, healthcare facilities, universities, and law enforcement. They enable these organizations to identify potential threats and implement strategies to deter attacks by violent extremists. In Maryland specifically, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management had received TVTP grant funds designated for threat mitigation, bolstering targeted violence prevention initiatives, and enhancing community protection measures. The abrupt cessation of these grants jeopardizes the continuation of these vital public safety programs.

According to the states’ legal filing, DHS and FEMA unlawfully terminated these grant awards on July 21, 2025, mid-funding cycle, despite ongoing and significant threats to national security. The federal agencies cited that the grant awards no longer aligned with the priorities of the Trump administration. However, the attorneys general contend that this action constitutes a breach of the grant agreements. These agreements reportedly outline specific and exclusive conditions for grant termination, such as a grantee’s failure to comply with the terms. The lawsuit asserts that the agreements do not permit unilateral termination based on partisan shifts in priorities between administrations. Furthermore, the states argue that these terminations violate the government’s obligation to act in good faith and deal fairly with its grantees. As a result, the suing states are seeking monetary damages to compensate for the breach of contract caused by what they deem unlawful actions. The termination of these grants means that programs designed to protect Marylanders from targeted violence and terrorist attacks are now at risk of being defunded, raising concerns about the potential impact on public safety.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office

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