New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani held a joint press conference on Tuesday demanding the Trump administration release $87 million in withheld federal counterterrorism funding. Hochul accused the administration of undermining public safety by reducing Homeland Security Grant Program allocations, while the White House maintains the funding was restored following a federal court order.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The dispute centers on $87 million in counterterrorism funding initially withheld from New York in September 2025, when the Department of Homeland Security delayed the release of that year’s Homeland Security Grant Program funding. Hochul’s administration states New York’s allocation was reduced by $87 million in the initial allocation and an additional $100 million in the final awards issued on September 27, 2025, totaling an 86% reduction from the state’s previous allocation.
In October 2025, President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that he had "reversed the cuts made to Homeland Security and Counterterrorism for New York City and State." However, Hochul’s administration asserts that only $100 million of the restored funding was received, leaving $87 million outstanding as of the latest reporting.
Deeper Dive & Context
Funding Reduction Timeline
The Homeland Security Grant Program provides annual funding to states for counterterrorism preparedness, including law enforcement, emergency response, and infrastructure protection. New York’s allocation was reduced from $217 million in 2024 to $30 million in 2025, according to Hochul’s office. The administration attributes the cuts to federal policy changes under the Trump administration, though no official rationale has been provided by the Department of Homeland Security.
Political Responses
Hochul framed the withholding as a political move targeting Democratic-led states, stating, "Don’t play political games with people’s lives." She emphasized the funding’s role in supporting NYPD intelligence analysts, FDNY personnel, National Guard units, and bomb squads, asserting that the cuts endanger public safety. Mamdani echoed these concerns, calling the withholding a betrayal of 9/11 families and first responders.
The Trump administration has not publicly detailed the basis for the funding reduction or the subsequent restoration. A federal court order in late 2025 mandated the release of at least a portion of the withheld funds, though disputes persist over the amount disbursed.
Broader Implications
The disagreement highlights ongoing tensions between federal and state governments over counterterrorism funding allocation, particularly in high-risk jurisdictions like New York. The dispute also reflects broader political divisions over law enforcement funding and federal-state financial obligations, with both sides framing the issue as a matter of public safety and political principle.
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security and the White House have not responded to requests for comment on the outstanding balance or the administration’s position on the funding dispute.