Introduction to Counterterrorism Funding
The White House will reverse the Department of Homeland Security’s cut of $187 million in counterterrorism funding for New York’s law enforcement, Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed Friday.
The funding supports intelligence operations, transit hub security, emergency preparedness, and equipment purchases for local law enforcement agencies.
Photo by Getty Images
Background on the Funding Cuts
Hochul hailed the reversal as a “victory for public safety and for every New Yorker who depends on our brave law enforcement and first responders to keep our state secure.”
“From the moment these devastating cuts were announced, I made it clear that New York would not stand by while our law enforcement and counterterrorism operations were defunded,” Hochul said in a statement.
The federal funding supports intelligence operations, transit hub security, emergency preparedness, and equipment purchases for local law enforcement agencies.
Bipartisan Efforts to Restore Funding
Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis of New York’s 11th District also pressed for the restoration, saying she had called President Trump directly, like Hochul, urging him to restore the funding.
“It’s well known that President Trump loves our NYPD and FDNY and understands the grave threats facing our city,” Malliotakis said. “Federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, must be thoughtful when making critical and impactful decisions, including where to direct federal funds. For them to cut counterterrorism funds from New York City was a terrible idea, and now it was rightfully reversed.”
Defense of the Initial Cuts
A DHS spokesperson initially defended the cuts, telling amNewYork earlier this week that FEMA was aligning grant programs with President Trump’s priorities to streamline federal resources and reduce taxpayer costs.
The spokesperson noted that New York City has historically received the largest share of Urban Area Security Initiative funding — about $3.6 billion, or 30% of all awards since the program began. They added that $1.6 billion in UASI funds remain unspent nationwide, including “substantial balances” in New York.
Legal Challenges to the Cuts
Earlier this week, a federal judge temporarily blocked the cuts to UASI, which falls under the umbrella of the Homeland Security Grant Program, after a coalition of 11 states, facing similar funding reductions like New York, argued that the cuts disproportionately targeted Democratic-led states and undermined counterterrorism preparedness.
Following the ruling, the DHS released a critical statement of U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy of Rhode Island, whom Trump appointed to the bench in 2019 during his first term. The statement said the “activist judge’s decision” was holding the nation’s emergency management funds hostage.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS has been relentless in its efforts to eliminate waste and ensure every dollar strengthens our communities. This judicial sabotage threatens the safety of our states, counties, towns, and weakens the entire nation. We will fight to restore these critical reforms and protect American lives,” said Assistant Secretary of DHS Tricia McLaughlin.
Reversal of the Cuts
According to the New York Times, which first reported Friday’s reversal of the counterterrorism cuts, DHS made the cuts without President Trump’s approval.
A FEMA spokesperson doubled down on the decision to cut the funds late Friday, saying initial allocation “fully met program requirements” but that “after consultation with federal partners and in recognition of our critical security partnership with New York, FEMA is providing access to $136 million, bringing the State Homeland Security funding to $187 million to ensure it has the resources needed to counter and combat evolving threats.”
Reaction to the Reversal
On Wednesday, calling for the reversal of the cuts, Commissioner Tisch stressed the importance of the federal funds paying for bomb squad technicians, heavily armed officers guarding subways and major events, counterterrorism patrols at houses of worship, radiation detection technology, intelligence analysts, real-time surveillance cameras, and training for active shooter situations.
She said counterterrorism funding “cannot be a political issue” and should not fluctuate with partisan debates. She called it a “profound mistake” to strip those resources away from New York City, which she described as the nation’s top terror target.
On Friday, Tisch welcomed the return of the funds, which she described as the “backbone” of the “most sophisticated and effective counterterrorism and intelligence operations in the world.”
“I am grateful to Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul, Congresswoman Malliotakis, and the entire New York delegation for their work to restore these funds and ensure the NYPD has the resources needed to keep our city safe,” Commissioner Tisch said in a statement.
Conclusion
The reversal of the $187 million cut in counterterrorism funding for New York is a significant victory for public safety and a testament to the bipartisan efforts of lawmakers and officials. The funding is crucial for supporting intelligence operations, transit hub security, emergency preparedness, and equipment purchases for local law enforcement agencies. The restoration of these funds ensures that New York City, a top terror target, has the resources needed to counter and combat evolving threats.
FAQs
Q: How much funding was initially cut from New York’s counterterrorism budget?
A: The initial cut was $187 million.
Q: Who pressed for the restoration of the funding?
A: Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, among others, pressed for the restoration of the funding.
Q: What is the purpose of the counterterrorism funding?
A: The funding supports intelligence operations, transit hub security, emergency preparedness, and equipment purchases for local law enforcement agencies.
Q: Why was the funding cut initially defended by DHS?
A: The DHS spokesperson initially defended the cuts, citing the need to streamline federal resources and reduce taxpayer costs.
Q: What was the reaction to the reversal of the cuts?
A: Commissioner Tisch welcomed the return of the funds, describing them as the “backbone” of the “most sophisticated and effective counterterrorism and intelligence operations in the world.”
