Trump Administration To Withhold Disaster Relief Funding From U.S. Cities And States That Boycott Israel

This doesn’t appear to be an American First policy.

The Trump administration has announced that it will not distribute funding for natural disaster preparation for U.S. states and cities that boycott Israel.

This isn’t a report that was leaked or just a hearsay article by the mainstream media, rather the new policy is directly on FEMA’s website.

CBS reported the move more closely:

The Trump administration on Monday announced that it would not distribute funding to prepare for natural disasters to cities and states that boycott Israel.

The administration has linked at least $1.9 billion to the boycott conditions, Reuters reported. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines now including the following statement under its anti-discrimination clause:

“Discriminatory prohibited boycott means refusing to deal, cutting commercial relations, or otherwise limiting commercial relations specifically with Israeli companies or with companies doing business in or with Israel or authorized by, licensed by, or organized under the laws of Israel to do business.”

The announcement drew outrage from the political left and right. Podcaster Krystal Ball, for instance, posted that “Denying American victims of natural disasters aid if they are insufficiently supportive of Israel. Absolute insanity.”
Former UFC/MMA fighter Jake Shields, a groyper-aligned Israel critic, asserted that “Trump will let Americans die if they don’t pledge allegiance to Israel. This is an act of treason. Its time for MAGA to wake the fuck up and realize that Trump is an agent of Israel.”

“I’ve never seen someone tank their legacy so fast. This is not America first and anyone advising him on this should be fired,” wrote musician Alexandra Lains.

“So let me get this straight, the government takes OUR taxpayer dollars that are supposed to be used for OUR disasters and is now threatening to withhold it if Americans choose to boycott Israel?” posted conservative activist Savannah Hernandez.

Users on X, pushed back against the new policy.

Take a look:

Support Israel or you deserve to die in a hurricane.
– Trump admin pic.twitter.com/4EACAdJOUV

— Apolitical (@Apolitical3678) August 4, 2025

Trump’s administration is trying to hold disaster funds ransom & tie their approval to Israel loyalty (no boycotts) pic.twitter.com/TANaejilrr

— An0maly (@LegendaryEnergy) August 4, 2025

Trump to deny disaster funding for cities and states who boycott Israel.

Follow: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/dwIygzQORu

— AF Post (@AFpost) August 4, 2025

USA Today reported more on the move by FEMA:

The requirement is the latest effort by the Trump administration to use federal funding to promote its views on Israel.

The Department of Homeland Security, the agency that oversees FEMA, in April said that boycotting Israel is prohibited for states and cities receiving its grant funds.

FEMA separately said in July that U.S. states will be required to spend part of their federal terrorism prevention funds on helping the government arrest migrants, an administration priority.

The Israel requirement takes aim at BDS, the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement designed to put economic pressure on Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories. The campaign’s supporters grew more vocal in 2023, after Hamas attacked southern Israel and Israel invaded Gaza in response.