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A group of House Democrats from New York claiming president Donald Trump’s Annual government funding recommendations, if enacted, could leave big cities vulnerable to mass terrorist attacks.
“We are writing to express the greatest concern about the existence threat posed by the Trump administration’s proposed budget to New York City’s homeland security,” Democrats wrote.
“This is the bottom line: Trump’s budget, if formulated, will leave the largest U.S. city unprepared to prevent and respond to the second 9/11.”
The bold new allegations are as left-wing lawmakers continue to criticize Republicans’ efforts to cut federal spending. Meanwhile, state debt is heading for $37 trillion.
Rep. Ritchie Torres and Dan Goldman, on the right, are two of New York Democrats criticizing President Trump’s budget proposal. (Getty Image)
This letter is New York City Democratic Party representative. Ritchie Torres, Yvette Clarke, Gregory Meeks, Dan Goldman and Jerry Nadler.
They believe that a “hard cut” to homeland security grants can almost remove FDNY’s ability to manage emergency and reduce the NYPD’s post-9/11 counter-terrorism tools to its former shell of self. ”
The letter was sent to the House Appropriations Committee’s top Republican and Democratic Party on the House Appropriations Committee, which has begun timely processing the federal budget for the next fiscal year before the September 30 deadline.
The White House has released a “thin” budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year (FY) that, if passed, would make a promise to Republicans cut government spending leave them saying it is out of control.
The proposal would cut $163 billion in non-defense discretionary government spending – meaning federal funds controlled by Congress every year, rather than mandatory funds, largely composed of government safety net programs, which were modified through a separate process called budget settlement.
Nonprofit organizations International Association of Fire Chiefs Analysis of the budget says the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) will cut from $468 million to $351 million and the Urban Area Security Program (UASI) will cut from $553.5 million to $415.5 million – two programs highlighted by New Yorkers.
The lawmakers’ letter said New York City could receive $45 million in homeland security grants under Trump’s budget.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler also signed the letter. (AP image)
“The Trump budget is an act of self-sabotage in the state,” they said. “In the first half of 2025, we saw seven terrorist lands, one terrorist per month. In the 24 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the threat of terrorism remains as real as before.”
Democrats noted that the New York police and fire department “usually provide reinforcements and technical assistance to jurisdictions across the United States.”
They believe: “New York City’s homeland security grants enable a common aid network between countries and between countries.”
Traditionally, the White House budget proposal was an initial plan, and the experience changed as lawmakers negotiated something feasible.
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However, in the Republican Delta of Washington, Republicans may face greater pressure to get as close to Trump’s vision delivery as possible.
In addition, Republican lawmakers are working to develop detailed tax and immigration legislation, which Trump calls a “big and beautiful bill” with the goal of delivering the bill to Trump’s table by July 4.
When commenting on the letter, the White House handed over Fox News Digital to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
A spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security said: “It is absolutely wrong to claim that the Department of Homeland Security is reducing its focus on terrorism prevention.”
A spokesman for the Homeland Security Agency said: “The allegations of weakening these plans are groundless. The DHS is enhancing intelligence and infrastructure protections to ensure the safety of the city. We remain fully committed to preventing another 9/11 with strong, targeted investments.”
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But Rep. Rosa Delauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, told Fox News Numbers: “We don’t even have the full 2026 budget request from President Trump, but to the best of our knowledge, the cuts he proposed in the federal government threaten our national security.”
“The mission of House Republicans is to draft these bills, and Democrats are ready to work in a bipartisan way, but we will not support the final 2026 funding bills that fail to ensure our communities are safe,” Dralaw said.
Tom Cole, Chairman of the Housing Appropriations Committee.
