“Although your staff provided a brief overview regarding the formula, they were either unable or unwilling to share how certain factors were determined and what elements were considered. Despite multiple requests for clarification, your Department failed to provide any additional information,” Hochul’s letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem read.<\/p>\n

The New York governor complained that her state had been targeted nearly twice as much as the next targeted state, making the cuts unconscionable.<\/p>\n

“Given that counterterrorism is fundamentally a federal mission and your agency is charged with ensuring high-profile targets receive funding to protect local communities<\/a>, historical sites, and financial sectors, I call upon you to be transparent with what appears to be a politically motivated effort<\/a> to reduce funding for New York,” she wrote.<\/p>\n

Hochul argued that the cuts made the state and the United States itself more vulnerable to terrorist attacks. She then took on a more forceful tone in her conclusion.<\/p>\n

“Secretary Noem, you have the authority to ensure counterterrorism funding is allocated appropriately. Do not play games with this critical security funding. I demand you reverse this decision and restore funding for those that work to protect the number one terrorist target in America: New York,” she concluded.<\/p>\n

The Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to the DHS for comment.<\/p>\n

New York is the latest of several states to complain about sudden cuts in DHS funding, all coming from states unwilling to cooperate in Trump’s immigration enforcement policies. On Monday, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin co-led a coalition of 12 attorneys general in a lawsuit to block the cuts.<\/p>\n

“The Trump Administration is playing games with the safety of our residents by illegally slashing Homeland Security Grant Program funding to New Jersey by 50%,” he said in a statement. “Until now, no administration has approached these grants – which protect New Jerseyans against terrorism, cyberattacks, and other critical safety issues – in a partisan manner.”<\/p>\n

BORDER PATROL TO REMAIN IN CHICAGO AND PORTLAND TO SUPPORT ICE IF GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

“Now, after we stopped the Trump Administration from blocking all FEMA funding to New Jersey, they have decided to pivot and unlawfully reduce funding for homeland security preparedness. We are taking immediate legal action to fight this illegal and reckless cut and to fight for the safety of all New Jerseyans,” Platkin added.<\/p>\n

The lawsuit was co-led by the attorneys general of Illinois, California, and Rhode Island. They were joined by the attorneys general of Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n