Judge blocks Trump admin from cutting $34M in funds for NY counterterrorism

A federal district judge intervened on Wednesday, temporarily halting the Trump administration’s effort to withdraw nearly $34 million in counterterrorism funding designated for the MTA in New York—this comes just a day after a decision spared $187 million in similar federal funding cuts for the state.

Judge Lewis Kaplan of Manhattan expressed concerns that reducing the MTA’s funding would compel New York to “significantly reduce its police presence and counterterrorism initiatives.”

These anti-terrorism funds, established following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, when the courthouse was a short distance from the site of the attacks that killed 3,000 individuals, can only be allocated based on assessments of potential terrorist threats, according to the judge.

During a brief 30-minute session, Kaplan remarked that it appeared probable the state could demonstrate that the White House aimed to “punish” it for “fulfilling its duties in ways that do not align with the Administration’s directives concerning what it refers to as the ‘largest deportation program in history.’”

Simultaneously, in Rhode Island, Judge Mary McElroy—appointed by Trump—issued a similar ruling on Tuesday, preventing the administration from eliminating $187 million from counterterrorism budgets affecting New York and 11 other cities that lean Democratic.

The federal funding in New York plays a vital role in supporting bomb squads, enhanced security patrols around sensitive sites such as places of worship, intelligence operations, and technology like radiation detectors that are used to search for explosives.

“I must emphasize this point: If these proposed cuts are enacted, it will lead to a catastrophic impact on our counterterrorism and intelligence initiatives in New York City,” stated NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who leads the nation’s largest municipal police department.

She added, “To put it plainly, these cuts determine whether we prevent the next attack or leave our city vulnerable. Counterterrorism funding cannot become a matter of political leverage; it should not fluctuate based on partisan gains.”

Local leaders, including Governor Kathy Hochul, have urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to clarify its reasoning behind the proposed cuts, which could lead to an 87% reduction in funding to just $30 million.

According to Hochul’s office, there’s also a proposal to cut $15 million from the FDNY.

“To consider cutting $187 million that funds our police and fire departments in New York City to shield us from potential terrorist threats is astounding,” Hochul remarked at an event alongside Democratic officials, who pointed fingers at Republicans for the government shutdown instigated on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the MTA, in tandem with New York Attorney General Letitia James, is contesting reductions to a distinct Homeland Security grant program that supports transit agencies, arguing that the cuts are targeted as a penalty for the city’s sanctuary laws limiting collaboration with immigration enforcement.

“Post-9/11, it is difficult to think of any other state that faces the same level of risk as New York. So, when you ask why the funding was eliminated, the answer is simple—they did it because we are designated as a sanctuary city,” stated James.

The reasons behind the reallocation of grants to other states remain somewhat vague. A source familiar with the matter noted that funding distribution to various localities relies on assessments of their vulnerability to terrorist attacks. This implies that FEMA may have needed to alter its risk evaluation to justify such a drastic allocation shift.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told The Post, “FEMA is prioritizing the judicious use of current resources and collaborating with regions to access those funds and pursue alternative financing through the State Homeland Security Grant Program. Our objective is to keep communities safe while enhancing system effectiveness and accountability, moving away from past issues of fraud, waste, and abuse.”

The spokesperson added that there are states across the nation holding onto $1.6 billion in unspent funds through this program, while New York still maintains “significant balances,” although no specific figures were provided.

Initially, New York had anticipated a 40% reduction—equating to $87 million—after early projections from FEMA were disclosed in August.