Governor Kathy Hochul has raised concerns about significant federal counterterrorism funding cuts and their impact on New York State’s ability to prepare for terrorist threats. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has reduced public safety and homeland security funding in New York by $187 million, despite the state being considered at high risk for terrorism. These funds have supported a range of counterterrorism, homeland security, and public safety programs across all counties.
Since 2011, the State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC) has received over $40 million in federal funding to support training staff and equipment. The SPTC is currently conducting its annual Excelsior Challenge, which is the state’s largest training event for bomb technicians, canine handlers, and tactical team operators—groups that rely heavily on this funding. Governor Hochul warned that these programs would be significantly reduced or eliminated if federal support is not restored.
“Cutting vital funding to counterterrorism training and preparedness is not how you keep New Yorkers safe — it’s done by investing in our law enforcement agencies. Secretary Noem has chosen to defund our police instead of supporting them, putting every New York family in harm’s way,” Governor Hochul said. “Let me be clear: The safety of New Yorkers has and always will be my number one priority. This is an attack on New York and the funding must be fully restored.”
Earlier this week, Governor Hochul criticized the decision after Secretary Kristi Noem announced the 86 percent reduction in counterterrorism funding compared to last year. As a result, none of New York State’s 12 certified bomb squads—including those in Chautauqua County, Erie County, Nassau County, New York City, Monroe County, Onondaga County, Rockland County, Suffolk County, Westchester County, as well as teams in Endicott Village and the cities of Rochester and Syracuse—are projected to receive any federal support this year.
The governor also sent a letter to Secretary Noem demanding transparency regarding these cuts and calling for full restoration of the funds.
Federal Emergency Management Agency funds distributed through the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) help local law enforcement with intelligence operations, mass gathering security planning, equipment purchases, and critical training needed for prevention and response efforts. Under HSGP rules, most funds go directly to local entities while a portion is reserved for statewide projects.
Law enforcement leaders expressed concern over how these cuts could affect public safety across New York:
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James stated: “Federal funding provides us with the necessary framework and resources to sustain the very best service to New Yorkers. Law enforcement is constantly challenged to keep pace with the evolving technologies and strategies exploited by criminals to inflict danger upon the unsuspecting public. This crucial funding allows us to share information, effectively collaborate with our law enforcement partners, and keeps us in the top position to meet new threats head-on.”
Representative John W. Mannion added: “Donald Trump and Kristi Noem are shamefully weaponizing federal power against perceived political opponents. Cutting New York’s counterterrorism funding and playing politics with critical public safety resources is reckless and dangerous. New York has always been a top target, and undermining the tools that keep us safe makes the entire country less secure. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for her leadership in fighting these cuts and I join her in calling for this funding to be restored immediately.”
Other local officials from Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan (“Taking away money that is designed to keep our first responders prepared…”) through Kingston Mayor Steve Noble (“Cuts of this magnitude put communities like Kingston at greater risk…”) echoed similar concerns about how reductions could weaken emergency readiness across municipalities.
The SPTC’s ongoing Excelsior Challenge brings together specialists from around New York for scenario-based exercises aimed at improving operational coordination among bomb technicians, canine handlers, tactical teams—and relies on federal support now at risk due to budget reductions.
Local government leaders stressed that shifting responsibility onto municipalities would force smaller cities with limited budgets into difficult choices regarding essential public safety measures.
