New York is pushing back. The state’s Attorney General, Letitia James, has launched a legal offensive against the Department of Homeland Security, accusing it of illegally freezing nearly $34 million in federal funds meant for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
The MTA—responsible for the city’s sprawling subway system, bus network, and commuter rails—was poised to receive the money to support operations and safety measures. Instead, the department slashed the award to zero, prompting James to file a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Alongside the suit, she requested an emergency restraining order, asking the court to act before midnight to preserve the funds.
“This decision jeopardizes the safety of millions of New Yorkers,” James said. “We are not seeking the money tonight, only protection while the courts review this unlawful move.”
The dispute follows warnings from the U.S. Transportation Department that up to a quarter of federal transit funds for the MTA could be withheld unless safety improvements are made for subway track workers. Homeland Security has yet to respond to the allegations.
For New York, the stakes are immediate: the safety of daily commuters and the smooth operation of one of the nation’s largest transit networks hangs in the balance.
