By: Ariella Haviv

In a dramatic reversal that called attention to the enduring centrality of New York to America’s national security calculus, the Trump administration announced on Friday that it would restore $187 million in counterterrorism and security funding for police departments and programs across the state. The funding, which had been slated for severe reductions, will now be fully reinstated following a week of bipartisan outcry and legal action.

According to a report that appeared Friday on the New York Public News Network, the decision represents not only a political concession but also a recognition of New York’s unique status as the nation’s most consistently threatened target of international terrorism. The U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that the funding would be restored “in full,” citing a desire to ensure that New York’s police forces and first responders remain equipped to handle ongoing and emerging security threats.

The controversy began earlier in the week when DHS announced that New York’s allocation under the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) would be reduced by an extraordinary 86%. The HSGP, created in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, has long funneled hundreds of millions of dollars annually to New York City and surrounding jurisdictions to strengthen counterterrorism infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and intelligence-sharing.

As the New York Public News Network reported, the proposed cut would have slashed nearly all of New York’s $187 million share of funding, sparking outrage from both Governor Kathy Hochul and members of the state’s Republican House delegation. Hochul warned in a public letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem that such a decision would “jeopardize the lives of millions of New Yorkers” by undermining the very programs designed to prevent attacks.

By Friday, however, DHS announced that “full funding” would be restored, ensuring that New York remains one of the largest beneficiaries of the post-9/11 security grants.

Governor Hochul took a victory lap after the announcement, telling the New York Public News Network that her administration’s pressure campaign had paid off.

“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.

She credited not only her own advocacy but also a coalition of Republican lawmakers from New York who, despite partisan divides, joined in raising alarms about the funding reductions. In an unusual bipartisan moment, Democrats and Republicans in the state aligned in opposition to the cuts, stressing that New York City’s symbolic and practical importance made the decision dangerous.

The role of President Trump in the reversal is also noteworthy. According to reporting by The New York Times, Trump himself had not initially been aware of the scale or nature of the cuts. After a Sunday phone call with Hochul, Trump reportedly moved quickly to investigate and then to reverse course.

The New York Public News Network report observed that Trump’s personal intervention highlights both the volatility of federal funding decisions in a polarized climate and the unique leverage governors can exercise when they appeal directly to the president. Trump’s decision, ultimately framed as a presidential correction, was intended to demonstrate responsiveness to the needs of New Yorkers, even as his administration continues to push for reforms in how Homeland Security funds are allocated.