Governor Kathy Hochul has criticized President Donald Trump and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after the federal government announced a significant reduction in counterterrorism funding for New York. The cuts, totaling $187 million, represent an 86 percent decrease in the state’s allocation, leaving New York with $30 million. These reductions will impact various public safety agencies across the state.
The funding decreases include a projected $100 million cut to the New York Police Department (NYPD), $15 million to the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), and $13 million to Joint Task Force Empire Shield, which funds National Guard presence at transit hubs. There will be no funding this year for any of New York State’s 12 certified bomb squads, along with additional cuts affecting counties, sheriffs, and local police departments.
“A Republican administration literally defunding the police is the height of hypocrisy — and walking away from the fight against terrorism in the number one terrorist target in America is utterly shocking,” Governor Hochul said. “Any New York House Republican who doesn’t immediately act to get this funding restored is complicit in making their constituents less safe.”
In response to these actions, Governor Hochul partnered with Attorney General Letitia James as part of a coalition of 12 states suing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The lawsuit challenges DHS’s decision to tie homeland security grants to compliance with federal immigration policies.
Additionally, Governor Hochul sent a letter to Secretary Noem requesting transparency regarding how these decisions were made and calling for full restoration of funds.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides this funding through its Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), which supports law enforcement and preparedness efforts such as intelligence operations and training. HSGP consists of three grants: SHSP, UASI, and Operation Stonegarden. Eighty percent of SHSP and UASI funds go directly to local entities.
After delays in releasing grant opportunities for 2025, DHS ultimately cut New York’s allocation by 40 percent ($87 million) before announcing an additional reduction of $102.7 million without prior notice or explanation on September 27.
For fiscal year 2025 under UASI—the Urban Areas Security Initiative—New York is set to receive just over $22 million, down nearly 86 percent from more than $156 million in 2024. The affected jurisdictions include New York City; Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester Counties; City of Yonkers; and Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.
SHSP—the State Homeland Security Program—funding for every county in New York also faces sharp reductions: from over $61 million statewide last year down more than 90 percent to roughly $5.6 million for FY2025.
Local officials expressed concern about what these changes mean for public safety:
Senator Charles Schumer stated: “Putting the safety of New Yorkers at risk by ripping away vital anti-terror funds is a new low for Donald Trump. New York remains a top terror target, and it is reckless and dangerous to slash the vital federal support law enforcement needs to be prepared and stop attacks. As threats of international and domestic terror persist and lives hang in the balance, Trump’s FEMA is choosing political games over public safety. These cuts must be immediately reversed. The safety of New Yorkers depends on it.”
Senator Kirstin Gillibrand said: “The Homeland Security Grant Program is a critical source of funding to keep New Yorkers safe and improve our preparedness, prevention, protection, response, and recovery capabilities across the state. I am deeply concerned that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has cut $189 million in counterterrorism funding for New York State, and I am committed to working with the governor to fight for the restoration of this funding.”
Attorney General Letitia James commented: “The federal government’s decision to play politics with critical counter-terrorism funds betrays our state’s law enforcement and emergency response teams who work hard every day to keep New Yorkers safe. I joined a coalition of my fellow attorneys general to sue DHS to stop these destructive funding cuts and I thank Governor Hochul for her commitment to protecting New Yorkers.”
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy remarked: “I want to thank Governor Hochul for speaking out on an issue that couldn’t be more important: keeping our communities safe. The decision by President Trump’s Department of Homeland Security to pull funding from local police and critical counterterrorism programs is deeply troubling. These grants save lives and ensure our law enforcement have the tools they need. Public safety has to come before politics, and I stand with the Governor in calling on Washington to do the right thing and restore this funding.”
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz added: “Donald Trump has just gutted critical funding for law enforcement communication across Western New York. The State Homeland Security Grant Program funds the cellular equipment needed for every single police vehicle in Buffalo, Erie and Niagara County to function, as well as radio communications across the region. Make no mistake: right now Donald Trump is the one defunding the police.”
Broome County Executive Jason Garnar noted: “Broome County depends on this funding for training, emergency preparedness, and keeping our communities safe. These dollars keep our law enforcement and emergency services ready to protect families when disaster strikes. Cutting them puts lives at risk, and I thank Governor Hochul for fighting to restore this critical funding.”
Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger stated: “Ulster County Emergency Services is losing more than $230,000 in emergency services support — funding that helps support law enforcement terrorism prevention activities, enhance cybersecurity and intelligence sharing, protect crowded places, and strengthen community preparedness and resilience. These reckless and politically motivated federal cuts undermine public safety in Ulster County and across New York State. I fully support the efforts of Governor Hochul and Attorney General James to hold the federal government accountable and restore this critical funding. New Yorkers deserve better than to have their safety used as a bargaining chip.”
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “It is outrageous that in the shadow of mourning those we lost on 9/11, the Trump administration is slashing Homeland Security and police funding to New York State by 90%. Here in Westchester County we will see our funding drop from $1.367 million to just $130,000 because of these reckless cuts… Keeping New York safe means investing in homeland security…”
Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon stated: “Cutting nearly $900,000 from funding that supports our local law enforcement partners is reckless and dangerous…”
City of Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano added: “Now is not the time to shortchange … cutting critical Homeland Security counterterrorism funding would directly undermine …”
Monroe County Legislature President Yversha Román said that these cuts put all communities at greater risk by undermining abilities related both public safety emergencies response as well as trust due process regarding immigration issues.
Schenectady County Legislature Chair Gary Hughes stressed how essential such funds are supporting coordination among fire/EMS/public health/hospitals/schools/community partners during emergencies.
Monroe County Sheriff Todd K Baxter described reliance on federal grants passed through NYS supporting bomb squad operations/crimes against children/human trafficking/narcotics investigations/training/specialized vehicles/equipment/targeted violence prevention—warning significant gaps may result if cuts remain amid increasing challenges facing public safety.
