Trump Administration To Reinstate $187M In NY Counterterrorism Funding

NEW YORK — The Trump administration will reinstate $187 million in counterterrorism funding grants for law enforcement in New York, according to Governor Kathy Hochul.

The federal funding supports a number of intelligence operations, bomb squads, security at sensitive targets like houses of worship and equipment purchases.

“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.

On Tuesday, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration from cutting Homeland Security Grant Program funding meant for the state.

Funding would have dropped by 86 percent, according to Hochul. New York were allocated $230 million in previous years but would only get about $30 millions if the cuts went through.

According to a New York Times report on Friday, DHS apparently made the cuts without President Trump’s approval.

A Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesperson confirmed that the White House was reversing the cuts.

“President Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem are committed to providing critical HSGP resources where they are needed most. FEMA works closely with our state and local partners to understand their needs and deliver grant funding directly into the hands of those who will utilize those funds most effectively,” a statement said.

It’s unclear at this time if the reinstatment includes the $34 million in MTA counterterrorism funds.

On Wednesday, a federal judge blocked the reduction of funds.

Before the ruling, NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the cuts would be a "devastating blow to our counterterrorism and intelligence programs in New York City."

“To be blunt, this is the difference between a city that prevents the next attack and a city left exposed to it. Counterterrorism funding cannot be a political issue. It cannot rise and fall based on partisan wins," she added.