NYPD Faces $187M Counterterrorism Funding Cuts Amid Hochul Criticism

Governor Kathy Hochul has strongly condemned President Donald Trump's administration for an 86% cut in federal counterterrorism funding for New York, amounting to approximately $187 million, including significant reductions to the NYPD, FDNY, Joint Task Force Empire Shield, and certified bomb squads. The Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, implemented these cuts, which Hochul and other Democratic leaders argue are politically motivated due to their refusal to align with the administration's immigration policies. This funding, provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Homeland Security Grant Program, supports critical local law enforcement and regional homeland security efforts. New York, along with 11 other Democratic-led states, filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to block these cuts, asserting the move endangers national security and undermines terrorism prevention. Hochul has demanded transparency and the restoration of funds, criticizing the administration for prioritizing political agendas over public safety and infrastructure needs, as also highlighted by the freezing of $18 billion in infrastructure funding affecting key projects like the Gateway Tunnel. The Trump administration has not publicly responded to the lawsuit or the accusations regarding the funding reductions.