New York Governor Kathy Hochul accused President Donald Trump of defunding the police after the Department of Homeland Security allegedly withheld $87 million in counterterrorism funding from New York State, just days before the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Governor Claims Federal Betrayal

During a Tuesday press conference with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Hochul stated that DHS is withholding 40 percent of New York State’s counterterrorism funding. The Democratic governor accused Trump of endangering public safety to extract revenge on a blue state, claiming the withheld funds would support 12 bomb squads statewide and ensure emergency communication systems for the Fire Department of New York.

Hochul warned that without this funding, first responders lack proper training and equipment to handle radiological threats or catastrophic attacks. She characterized the federal government’s actions as a betrayal of families who lost loved ones on September 11, along with every police officer and firefighter who risks their lives daily to protect New Yorkers.

Federal Response Disputes Claims

A FEMA spokesperson rejected Hochul’s accusations, stating the governor manufactured a funding crisis. According to federal officials, New York currently holds more than $300 million in unspent federal homeland security funding. The spokesperson noted that for over two decades, New York received allocations significantly above risk-based formulas, allowing the state to collect more taxpayer money than other states.

The federal response challenged Hochul and Mamdani to explain why New York demands additional funding when hundreds of millions of dollars already provided remain unspent. FEMA characterized the accusation that President Trump defunded law enforcement as false, shifting responsibility back to state officials for failing to utilize existing federal resources.

Implications For Public Safety

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic state leaders over federal funding allocation. With the September 11 anniversary approaching, the disagreement raises questions about preparedness in America’s largest city. Mayor Mamdani emphasized that the federal government should not leave New York City to shoulder the burden of terrorism prevention alone, given its status as a primary target. The standoff between state and federal officials continues as both sides maintain conflicting narratives about funding availability and responsibility.