House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, both representing New York City, trump-hopes-others-indicted-comey-live-updates/” title=”… Hopes James Comey Indictment Is Just the Beginning – Live Updates from the …”>addressed reporters outside the White House following discussions with Republican leaders and President Donald Trump. The Trump administration has halted $18 billion in infrastructure funding allocated for New York City.
JIM WATSON/AFP
As the federal government entered a shutdown, the Trump administration took a decisive step against New York City by suspending $18 billion in infrastructure funds approved by Congress. This move directly impacts Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both prominent Democrats deeply involved in the ongoing budget negotiations with the White House.
Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, announced on X that the freeze was intended to prevent the allocation of funds tied to what he described as unconstitutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. “Approximately $18 billion earmarked for New York City infrastructure has been paused to ensure no funding supports unconstitutional DEI initiatives,” Vought stated.
The U.S. Department of Transportation further clarified that the federal review process concerning New York’s funding would be delayed due to the shutdown. They confirmed that $300 million designated for the Second Avenue subway expansion would be immediately affected by this freeze.
The withheld $18 billion primarily supports two critical transportation endeavors: the construction of a rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River connecting New York and New Jersey, a project championed by Schumer and endorsed by former President Joe Biden, and the ongoing Second Avenue subway extension within New York City.
Democratic leaders from New York, including Schumer and Jeffries, have firmly rejected the Trump administration’s assertion that Democrats are responsible for the government shutdown. Schumer criticized Republicans on X shortly before the shutdown, stating, “Republicans just rejected our proposal to prevent a government shutdown and address healthcare needs. They are choosing shutdown over solving their healthcare issues.”
Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, echoed this sentiment during a press briefing, attributing the shutdown to Trump and Republican leadership. “They control all the levers of power,” Hochul remarked, warning that the shutdown would cause widespread hardship. She also dismissed the administration’s justification linking the funding cuts to DEI policies as a distraction rooted in “culture war” tactics.
In a formal statement, Hochul condemned the suspension of infrastructure funds, emphasizing, “We have fulfilled our responsibilities and are prepared to proceed with construction.”
This is not the first instance of Trump opposing major infrastructure investments in New York City. During his initial term, he threatened to veto funding for the long-delayed and expensive Hudson River rail tunnel project.
Trump has also used federal funding as leverage to influence New York’s political landscape. Recently, he warned that he would withhold all federal funds from the city if Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani were elected mayor.
On his social media platform, Trump wrote, “He needs my funding as President to keep his FALSE Communist promises. He won’t receive any, so why vote for him?”
Contrary to Trump’s claim, Mamdani is not a communist. The state Assemblyman, affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America, has led the mayoral polls for several months. He is currently competing against independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, following the withdrawal of incumbent Mayor Eric Adams. Polls consistently show Mamdani as the frontrunner.
Responding to the shutdown, Mamdani criticized Trump on X, stating, “They shut down the government to strip healthcare from millions, enrich billionaires, and continue attacking our rights.”
