NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge has permanently blocked the Trump administration from withholding nearly $34 million in funding earmarked to protect New York’s transit system from terrorist attacks. Judge Lewis A. Kaplan stated in his Thursday ruling that the Republican administration’s decision to cut funding was 'arbitrary, capricious, and a blatant violation of the law.' The funding cuts were justified by the administration as a response to New York City’s designation as a 'sanctuary city' for immigrants in the U.S. illegally.
Kaplan emphasized that the post-9/11 Transit Security Grant Program was established with the mandate that funding be allocated based solely on terrorism risk, rather than political or ideological considerations. Previously, the judge had issued a temporary injunction to stop these funding cuts. New York state initiated legal action against the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after they announced last month the elimination of funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), responsible for the city’s transit system.
FEMA officials revealed in court filings that the funding was denied because the applicant was based in New York City, identified as a designated sanctuary jurisdiction. The MTA's allocation of federal funding, the largest among any transit agency, is essential for various counterterrorism initiatives, including targeted patrols, security equipment, infrastructure improvements, cybersecurity upgrades, and weapon detection systems.
Following the ruling, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James commended the decision as a triumph for the safety of every New Yorker who relies on public transport. They stated, 'A court has once again affirmed that this administration cannot punish New York by arbitrarily wiping out critical security resources and defunding law enforcement that keeps riders safe.'
Kaplan emphasized that the post-9/11 Transit Security Grant Program was established with the mandate that funding be allocated based solely on terrorism risk, rather than political or ideological considerations. Previously, the judge had issued a temporary injunction to stop these funding cuts. New York state initiated legal action against the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after they announced last month the elimination of funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), responsible for the city’s transit system.
FEMA officials revealed in court filings that the funding was denied because the applicant was based in New York City, identified as a designated sanctuary jurisdiction. The MTA's allocation of federal funding, the largest among any transit agency, is essential for various counterterrorism initiatives, including targeted patrols, security equipment, infrastructure improvements, cybersecurity upgrades, and weapon detection systems.
Following the ruling, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James commended the decision as a triumph for the safety of every New Yorker who relies on public transport. They stated, 'A court has once again affirmed that this administration cannot punish New York by arbitrarily wiping out critical security resources and defunding law enforcement that keeps riders safe.'
