President Trump reverses $187M in funding cuts to N.Y. counterterrorism efforts

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - President Donald Trump announced on Friday afternoon that he has reversed the cuts to counterterrorism efforts in New York.

"I am pleased to advise that I reversed the cuts made to Homeland Security and Counterterrorism for New York City and State," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "It was my Honor to do so. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT"

Over the course of the last few days several New York elected officials have voiced their opposition to an approximately $187 million cut in federal funding.

The funding, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through its Homeland Security Grant Program, goes toward law enforcement efforts ranging from intelligence operations to mass gathering security, to equipment purchases, as previously noted in a press release by Gov. Kathy Hochul's office.

Following what Hochul's office said was "an extended delay" the Department of Homeland Security issued the 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Homeland Security Grant Program, allowing states to access the funding. Despite New York City being what Hochul's office noted as "the nation's number one terrorist target," the allocated funds were slashed by 40% ($87 million). Then, according to Hochul's release, "without notice nor explanation," an additional $102.7 million was cut when the Department of Homeland Security issued the allocations on Saturday.

The slash in funding led officials to contact federal authorities in the hopes of freezing the reallocation of funds.

In a Facebook post, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis shared that she spoke with Trump on Wednesday and within a short period of time, the funding was restored.

"I spoke with President Trump on Wednesday, and within 48 hours this critical funding was fully restored, supporting the NYPD's counterterrorism initiatives," the post stated. "It's well known that President Trump loves our NYPD and FDNY and understands the grave threats facing our city. I thank him for working with our Republican delegation from New York to override this poor decision by DHS."

In response to a Facebook user questioning why Trump would cut the federal funding in the first place, Malliotakis explained that it was the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that "changed the formula for the grants, and as a result, New York lost the money to other states." The Republican congresswoman representing Staten Island credited President Trump for intervening and reversing the cuts.

Hochul also took action on the matter, penning a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem denouncing the cuts.

"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 issued on Friday. "I'm glad President Trump heard our call and reversed course, ensuring our state has the resources necessary to support law enforcement and keep our families safe.

"Because of our efforts, $187 million in critical funding will be restored - 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," she added.

Prior to the cuts being reversed, courts took action to temporarily block the withdrawal of funding. On Wednesday, New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with 11 other attorneys general obtained a court order freezing the federal government's effort to limit the funding.

As noted by Hochul's office, the cuts, which were contained within the State Homeland Security Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative portions of the Homeland Security Grant Program, would have resulted in a projected $100 million cut to the NYPD. Hochul claims this would have deeply impacted intelligence analysts and the NYPD's counterterrorism unit. The funding cuts would have also stripped the FDNY from a projected $15 million and Joint Task Force Empire Shield from a projected $13 million, according to Hochul's office.

"The NYPD has one of the most sophisticated and effective counterterrorism and intelligence operations in the world, and has uncovered, investigated, and thwarted dozens of plots in New York since September 11," Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a prepared statement. "These federal funds are the backbone of our program, and the proposed cuts would have had a devastating impact on our capabilities. I am grateful to Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul, and Congresswoman Malliotakis for their work to restore these funds and ensure the NYPD has the resources needed to keep our city safe."

At the news that the Trump administration reversed the cuts, Mayor Eric Adams issued a statement of his own Friday afternoon.

"The media may criticize, but I don't govern for headlines, I govern for results," he said in a post on X. "Working with, not warring with, the Trump administration has always been the right path. And once again, New Yorkers are the winners.