President Donald Trump\u2019s administration has reversed $187 million in cuts to counterterrorism and security funding for police departments and programs in New York state.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Friday it was restoring \u201cfull funding\u201d of New York\u2019s grants under a program established after 9\/11 to bolster efforts to thwart terrorism attacks and security threats throughout the country.<\/p>\n
The announcement came after a week of pushback from Gov. Kathy Hochul<\/a> and members of the state\u2019s Republican House delegation<\/a>, who argued the funding cut would put New Yorkers at risk of attack.<\/p>\n The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is part of DHS and administers the Homeland Security Grant Program, announced its reversal in a statement Friday, which said it would be restoring full funding of the state\u2019s share to ensure it can combat security threats.<\/p>\n Hochul publicly raised alarm about the cuts on Monday, when she sent a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem noting they would amount to a 86% drop in the state\u2019s share of the counterterrorism funding despite New York City remaining a major target for terrorists.<\/p>\n Hochul said Friday she was glad \u201cPresident Trump heard our call and reversed course.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause of our efforts, $187 million in critical funding will be restored \u2014 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n In a statement earlier in the week, DHS defended its decision to change up the funding allocation, arguing that New York City had received 30% of the program\u2019s funding since its establishment and that the changes would make the system \u201cmore effective and accountable, moving away from the fraud, waste and abuse of the past.\u201d<\/p>\n