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A federal judge has extended an order preventing the Trump administration from redirecting $33 million in transit safety funds from New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The decision, made on Wednesday, continues a temporary restraining order for another week, blocking the reallocation of funds initially granted after the 9/11 attacks.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Kathy Hochul have criticized the move, claiming it is a response to New York's "sanctuary" policies that protect immigrant communities. James filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security after the federal government cut the MTA's security funding to zero. The funds were intended for projects like upgrading security systems to protect against chemical and explosive threats.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who granted the restraining order, emphasized New York City's history of terror attacks and the need for these funds. Kaplan noted that the Transit Security Grant Program funds should be distributed based solely on the risk of terrorist activities, not as a political tool.
The DHS defended its actions, arguing that a significant amount of federal security funding remains unspent nationwide, including in New York. However, New York officials, including Jackie Bray, commissioner of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, have countered that the funds are not meant to be spent all at once and that the DHS is misrepresenting the situation.
The ongoing legal battle highlights the tension between federal and state priorities, with New York officials seeking to ensure the safety of the city's transit system against potential threats. The court's decision to extend the restraining order provides temporary relief as the case continues to unfold.
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