Judge Orders DHS to Repay MTA's $34 Million Antiterrorism Funding

Federal Judge Rules Against DHS

• 🏛️ A federal judge has ruled that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must repay $34 million in antiterrorism funding to the MTA.
• ⚖️ The ruling states that the federal government illegally withheld the funds, citing New York's status as a sanctuary city.
• 🚫 The court determined that FEMA cannot consider unrelated factors like immigration policy when allocating security funds.

Officials Speak Out Against Funding Withholding

• 📣 Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Tish James are vocal in their opposition to the federal government's actions.
• 🗣️ Attorney General James emphasized the importance of fighting back against such decisions, stating, "If you attack New Yorkers, when you put us in harm's way, we will fight back and we will win."

Purpose of Antiterrorism Funding

• 🚨 The transit security grant program was established after 9/11 to protect high-risk transit systems like the MTA from potential terrorist threats.
• 🔒 The funding is intended for security measures to safeguard public transportation against terrorism.