By Steve Neavling
The Trump administration is cutting $100 million in counterterrorism funding for New York, a move that state leaders say threatens public safety and reeks of political retribution, The New York Times reports.
The reduction follows an $87 million cut announced in August. If allowed to stand, New York’s share of the Homeland Security Grant Program would shrink to $30 million, an 86% drop from Biden-era levels.
New York and 10 other states sued Monday to block the cuts, and a federal judge has temporarily frozen the funds while the case proceeds.
Gov. Kathy Hochul called the decision “the height of hypocrisy,” saying, “A Republican administration literally defunding the police … and walking away from the fight against terrorism in the No. 1 terrorist target in America is utterly shocking.”
In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Hochul warned: “Do not play games with this critical security funding.”
The NYPD said the loss would be “a devastating blow to our capabilities … incredibly dangerous.”
Jackie Bray, the state’s homeland security commissioner, said, “There will be public safety professionals who lose their jobs over the next two years because of these cuts, unequivocally.”
Rep. Andrew Garbarino, a Long Island Republican who chairs the House Committee on Homeland Security, also warned the cuts “will undermine our capabilities, embolden our enemies and ultimately increase the danger facing our communities.”
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