“Donald Trump repeatedly claimed to be the law-and-order President. Instead, he has visited lawlessness and disorder upon the American people.
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Ten Days Before the 25th Anniversary of 9/11, DHS Is Still Holding Back $87 Million of New York’s Counterterrorism Money — the Governor Calls It "Defunding the Police" and the Homeland Security Secretary Says Sanctuary States Should Not Get "One Federal Penny"
September 1, 2026
Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani appeared together in midtown Manhattan on September 1, 2026 to demand that the Department of Homeland Security release roughly $87 million in federal counterterrorism grant money that New York says it is still owed — about 40 percent of the state's expected allocation. New York was originally cut by $187 million, some 86 percent of what it expected. A federal court order restored roughly $100 million of that, but state and city officials say the remaining shortfall still hits NYPD counterterrorism and intelligence operations, FDNY specialized teams, National Guard deployments and bomb squads. Hochul turned the administration's own slogan back on it, saying that withholding the money amounts to "defunding the police." The state's congressional Democrats — Schumer, Gillibrand, Jeffries, Nadler, Goldman, Meng, Morelle, Latimer, Mannion and Kennedy — pressed the same point, repeatedly invoking the approaching 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. DHS answered that New York is sitting on $300 million in unspent FEMA money, and Secretary Markwayne Mullin said separately that he does not think sanctuary jurisdictions should receive "one federal penny."
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14 Statements
“I don't think we should be sending one federal penny to sanctuary states and sanctuary cities.
“On the eve of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, it is offensive, dangerous, and stupid for the Trump administration not to fully fund New York's counterterrorism funding. New York remains target #1 for those who seek to harm America and cutting this Homeland Security funding undermines New York's ability to prevent, respond to, and mitigate acts of terror. These resources give NYPD and other law enforcement the tools they need to do everything possible to keep New Yorkers safe.
“President Trump is using New Yorkers as political pawns once again. New York is the leading terrorist target in the nation. As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, defunding our law enforcement and counterterrorism operations is especially egregious and unsafe. I will keep fighting to ensure New Yorkers are protected and our state receives the funding it needs to keep us all safe.
“With the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks approaching next week, it is outrageous that President Trump continues to withhold counterterrorism funding for New York City that has already been appropriated by Congress.
“Donald Trump's broken promises and petty partisan games risk millions of New Yorkers' safety and security.
“There is no excuse for cutting public safety funding in New York.
“Donald Trump made a promise to the people of New York, and nearly a year later, he still hasn't kept it.
“I commend Governor Hochul for prioritizing the safety of New Yorkers by opposing the Trump Administration's decision to withhold $87 million in critical funding.
“Public safety and homeland security should never be politicized.
“As a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, I know firsthand how critical this funding is to keeping our communities safe from evolving threats.
“By holding this funding hostage, the Trump Administration is defunding the police.
“Don't play political games with people's lives. Release the $87 million you owe us.
“This is a cut that will then impact our ability to have bomb squads here in New York City at the level that we have today.