A legal showdown is underway in California, as nearly 30 cities and counties,  including San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration over what they call an “unlawful attack” on critical emergency and disaster funding.

At a press conference in San Jose, local leaders announced the federal lawsuit, accusing the administration of tying over $350 million in life-saving grants to unrelated political demands, including compliance with immigration enforcement policies and the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

The lawsuit targets new conditions imposed by the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, conditions local officials say overstep executive authority and violate the Constitution.

These grants support fire departments, counterterrorism efforts, port and transit security, and disaster preparedness, services that impact more than 30 million people across the West Coast.

At stake: $140 million for wildfire recovery in Los Angeles, $23 million in flood mitigation in Marin County, and nearly half of Santa Clara County’s emergency management budget.

The case was filed in federal court in San Francisco. 

Local leaders say they won’t let emergency preparedness be held hostage by political agendas.

For now, the funding remains in limbo. The plaintiffs are asking the court to block the new rules and preserve access to vital public safety funds as the case moves forward.