N.Y. AG James Sues DHS for $34M Over Transit Funding Freeze

New York Attorney General Letitia James has initiated a lawsuit against U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The crux of the lawsuit alleges the unlawful retention of approximately $34 million in funds requested by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York.

The MTA, a state agency, holds the responsibility of operating the city’s subway and bus networks, along with commuter rail lines servicing nearby suburbs. Attorney General James filed the lawsuit late Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeking an emergency order to protect the MTA’s funding before midnight.

The Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond to requests for comment. In an official statement, James’s press office declared, “DHS today cut New York’s award from nearly $34 million to zero – an unlawful decision.” The Attorney General is not seeking immediate disbursement of the funds, but rather their preservation while the case is resolved in the courts.

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James argues that this move puts the safety of millions of New Yorkers in peril. “I am asking the court to act before midnight to stop these funds from vanishing and to ensure that New Yorkers are not put at risk by this administration’s political games,” she said.

This development follows earlier reports that last month, the U.S. Transportation Department hinted at withholding up to 25% of federal transit funding for the MTA if the agency does not improve safety for subway track maintenance workers. The significance of this should not be overlooked.

Funding disputes like this one raise important questions about the role of federal departments in state affairs and the potential implications for public safety. As the case unfolds, questions remain unanswered.