Trump Admin Tries to Force States to Pick Sides on Israel, But It Backfires

The Trump administration sparked controversy by announcing a policy that would condition federal disaster preparedness funding on states and cities rejecting boycotts of Israeli companies, only to reverse the decision hours later following widespread criticism.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) initially updated guidelines for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which allocates nearly $1.9 billion annually for natural disaster preparedness. Under the new terms, applicants were required to certify they do not engage in or support boycotts of Israeli companies, aligning with the administration's efforts to counter the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Critics, including civil liberties groups like the ACLU and Palestinian rights advocates, decried the policy as unconstitutional, arguing it violates First Amendment rights by punishing political expression. "This is an attempt to coerce states into aligning with foreign policy preferences, putting lives at risk for political gain," said an ACLU spokesperson. Supporters, including pro-Israel organizations like AIPAC, praised it as a necessary measure to combat antisemitism disguised as anti-Zionism.

The policy would have affected funding for flood control, wildfire mitigation, and other resilience projects, potentially impacting states like California, New York, and Illinois that have considered or enacted BDS-related measures. Legal challenges were anticipated, with experts citing past court rulings against similar state-level anti-BDS laws.

Social media reactions were divided, with pro-Palestinian users calling it "blackmail" and Trump supporters hailing it as "America First" aligned with Israel. Posts accused the administration of prioritizing foreign interests over American disaster victims.

By the end of the day oyesterday (Monday), DHS reversed the pledge, clarifying that the clause was removed from the funding terms following backlash. The agency defended the initial move as promoting "economic security" and countering discrimination but stated it applies only to new grants in a limited capacity. This policy echoes Trump's first-term efforts to protect Israel from BDS, including executive orders against antisemitism on campuses.