President Trump on Friday reversed course, restoring Homeland Security and counterterrorism funding that his administration had previously slashed for New York City and the state. The move comes after mounting public outcry, bipartisan criticism, and legal challenges.
“I am pleased to advise that I reversed the cuts made to Homeland Security and Counterterrorism for New York City and State. It was my Honor to do so,” Trump announced on social media, offering no further details about the decision.
The reversal means New York will keep access to $187 million in funding critical for police and firefighter operations — money that had been threatened amid the Trump administration’s aggressive push to reduce support for the city and state.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul welcomed the decision, pointing to the power of collective resistance. “From the moment @Sec_Noem tried to defund our police and counterterrorism programs, we stood up and fought back,” Hochul posted on X. “I’m glad that @POTUS heard our call to reverse these cuts.”
The funding cuts had sparked fierce opposition across party lines. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), who represents a competitive district, called the initial move “unacceptable” and a direct threat to New Yorkers’ safety.
“New York remains the number one target for terrorism, and we cannot let politics put lives at risk,” Lawler said. “This is a major win for our state and a testament to what we can achieve when we work together to push back on misguided decisions.”
The backlash was fueled in part by a lawsuit New York filed Tuesday challenging the administration’s decision to freeze nearly $34 million in federal transit security grants. The state alleged the funding was withheld because New York refused to allocate local law enforcement resources to immigration enforcement — a claim that led a federal judge to temporarily block the cuts on Wednesday.
This reversal stands out against the backdrop of other funding battles. Earlier this week, the Trump administration froze $18 billion in federal infrastructure funds for New York City, citing concerns over diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. New York was also among the states affected by the cancellation of nearly $8 billion in green energy project funding.
