Trump Administration Reverses $187 Million in N.Y. Counterterrorism Cuts

New York|Trump Administration Reverses $187 Million in N.Y. Counterterrorism Cuts

The White House will restore $187 million in cuts to law enforcement funding that would have devastated New York’s intelligence and counterterrorism operations, following a bipartisan effort to reinstate the funds, administration officials told The New York Times on Friday.

The push, which included personal appeals from Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York, a Democrat, as well as several of the state’s Republican House members, has been underway since news of the cuts began trickling out over the weekend.

The cuts, which represented the largest federal defunding of police operations in New York in decades, were made by the Department of Homeland Security, without the approval of President Trump, White House officials said.

Mr. Trump was first told of the cuts by Ms. Hochul during a phone call on Sunday evening, according to three people with knowledge of the conversation.

Homeland Security officials released a statement on Friday morning that did not explain the reasoning for the cuts or the reversal.

“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,” the statement said.

“We are grateful for the partnership of the State of New York, and today are announcing full funding of H.S.G.P. grants to effectively counter and combat security threats within the Empire State.”

Ms. Hochul had denounced the cuts earlier this week in a sharply worded statement. “A Republican administration literally defunding the police is the height of hypocrisy — and walking away from the fight against terrorism in the No. 1 terrorist target in America is utterly shocking,” she said.

Ms. Hochul also sent a letter to Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security secretary, accusing her of making “all of America more vulnerable to terrorist attacks.”

“Do not play games with this critical security funding,” she warned.

Homeland Security officials had earlier defended the cuts, saying in a statement on Thursday that the agency had been “focused on aligning its grant programs with the Trump administration’s priorities to streamline federal resources and reduce the burden on the American taxpayer.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Maria Cramer contributed reporting.