In a move that has reduced tensions between New York officials and the federal government, President Trump's administration has reinstated a hefty $187 million in counterterrorism funding previously cut from the New York City Police Department (NYPD). The restoration comes after New York Governor Kathy Hochul's direct appeal and widespread criticism from state lawmakers.
"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 obtained by ABC7NY. The Governor hailed it 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."
Before the reinstatement, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch had strongly condemned the funding cuts, labeling them a direct threat to the city's well-being. In a clear message, Tisch emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying, "To be blunt, this is the difference between a city that prevents the next attack and a city left exposed to it. Counterterrorism funding cannot be a political issue. It cannot rise and fall based on partisan whims," as she told The Post. The commissioner also highlighted that New York City has successfully thwarted over 70 terrorist plots since the September 11 attacks.
A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) spokesperson confirmed the White House was reversing the reductions to funds supporting essential services including bomb squads, patrols around sensitive sites, and the acquisition of technology like radiation detectors to guard against explosives. "We are grateful for the partnership of the state of New York, and today are announcing full funding of HSGP grants to effectively counter and combat security threats within the Empire State," the spokesperson said, affirming the administration's commitment to providing critical resources where they are needed most, as reported by the New York Times and cited by The Post.
While this resolves a significant financial issue for New York's security, it remains unclear whether the decision also applies to the nearly $34 million in counterterrorism grant funding cut from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which a judge paused earlier this week. The restored funds are designated for New York's counterterrorism operations, offering support to city officials and residents.
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