President Donald Trump reversed $187 million in cuts his administration previously attempted to make to homeland security and counterterrorism funding for New York.
The Department of Homeland Security also said Friday that it would restore “full funding” of the state’s grants under a program established after 9/11. The cuts would have been one of the largest to police operations in New York in decades.
“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 posted.
Trump was unaware of his administration’s decision to defund the New York City Police Department, and he did not learn of the cuts until Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) called him over the weekend to take issue with it, according to a New York Times report.
New York sued the DHS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday over the funding cuts, which were met with bipartisan pushback. Hochul celebrated the reversal.
“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,” Hochul said in a statement, adding she was glad that Trump “heard our call to reverse these cuts.”
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), who has long advocated increased funding for causes related to the aftermath of 9/11, also expressed appreciation to Trump for reversing the cuts. He said the cuts were “unacceptable and posed a direct threat to the safety of New Yorkers.”
“New York remains the number one target for terrorism, and we cannot let politics put lives at risk,” Lawler said in a statement. “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.”
JUDGE RULES TRUMP DEPLOYMENT OF NATIONAL GUARD TO LOS ANGELES VIOLATED FEDERAL LAW
The reversal came after a federal judge this week blocked the Trump administration from diverting around $34 million in funding intended to protect New York’s transit system from terrorism.
The judge cited 9/11 and security threats the city has continued to face, noting that the state would “quite likely” succeed in proving the money would be improperly diverted because the administration sought to punish the state for not cooperating with its immigration agenda.