New York officials are calling on the Trump administration to release $87 million in federal homeland-security money they say remains withheld from the state after a court challenge restored part of a larger reduction.
Gov. Kathy Hochul and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said New York initially faced a $187 million cut, equal to about 86% of its expected allocation. A federal judge's order led to the restoration of $100 million, but officials said the remaining reduction still equals roughly 40% of the state's expected funding.
Grants support local response agencies
The disputed money comes through the Homeland Security Grant Program, which includes the State Homeland Security Program, the Urban Area Security Initiative and Operation Stonegarden.
Under the state and urban grant programs, 80% of funding is passed to local agencies and 20% is used by the state, according to the governor's office. The money supports planning, equipment, training and exercises.
New York officials said the grants help pay for intelligence and counterterrorism operations at the New York Police Department, communications and radiological-response capabilities at the Fire Department of New York, and National Guard patrols through Operation Empire Shield.
The funding also supports 12 bomb squads and public-safety agencies across the state. State grants are distributed to every county, while the urban program is concentrated in the New York City metropolitan area.
Officials cite impacts across New York
Gillibrand said the remaining holdback could weaken protection for mass gatherings, transit systems and other potential targets. She called for the full allocation to be restored without additional delay.
Rep. John Mannion said Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Oneida and Onondaga counties together are still owed nearly $500,000. Rep. Tim Kennedy cited effects in Erie and Niagara counties, while Rep. Joe Morelle raised concerns about Rochester-area preparedness.
Hochul said New York has invested $4 billion in public safety over the past five years. She also said New York City-based counterterrorism teams contributed to 145 major arrests, disruptions or investigative leads across 10 states during the past three years.
Those figures were presented by the state and were not independently detailed in the announcement.
Dispute followed federal notices
The governor's office said federal grant notices issued in 2025 were followed by a Sept. 27 funding reduction. State officials said the administration later indicated some money would be restored, but the full amount has not returned.
The state challenged the cuts in court. After a judge intervened, $100 million was restored, leaving the disputed $87 million balance.
Hochul framed the reduction as a threat to police and emergency-response capabilities. Gillibrand said local agencies had planned around the expected federal grants and should not have to absorb a sudden loss.
The federal government did not provide a response in the state and congressional releases. The announcements also did not specify when the remaining court issues or grant decisions would be resolved.
New York officials said they will continue pressing for the balance while agencies plan for the possibility that the money will remain unavailable.
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