Federal Government Threatens Funding Cuts to NYC Transit Over Crime Concerns
The administration of President Donald Trump is escalating pressure on New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to curb crime within its transit system, threatening significant reductions in federal funding if the agency fails to demonstrate substantial progress. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a stern ultimatum in a letter to the MTA on Tuesday, declaring that the administration is determined to "restore order" and address the growing concerns of commuters regarding safety.
The federal government is a major financial supporter of the MTA, contributing billions of dollars annually to the operation and maintenance of the city’s extensive subway and bus network. Duffy’s letter underscores the administration’s growing dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of progress in tackling crime, homelessness, and other security threats within the system.
"The trend of violent crime, homelessness, and other threats to public safety on one of our nation’s most prominent metro systems is unacceptable," Duffy wrote. "After years of soft-on-crime policies, our Department is stepping in to restore order."
Duffy emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring that federal tax dollars are being used to provide a safe and secure commuting experience for New Yorkers. "Commuters are sick and tired of feeling like they have to jeopardize their safety to get to work, go to school, or to travel around the city. We will continue to fight to ensure their federal tax dollars are going towards a crime-free commute," he added.
The ultimatum comes amidst heightened public anxiety over subway safety, fueled by a series of high-profile incidents, including a recent burning death, prompting the Guardian Angels to resume patrols within the system. This follows other reports documenting a series of alarming violent attacks, which further undermines the confidence in the subway system, despite assertions of safety from city officials.
Duffy’s letter demands comprehensive data from the MTA on several key metrics, including fare evasion rates, the number of assaults on transit workers and customers, and the frequency of police patrols throughout the system. He has also requested a detailed accounting of how the MTA has allocated federal funding to address safety and security concerns within the transportation network.
"I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter to avoid further consequences, up to and including redirecting or withholding funding," Duffy wrote, making the stakes of the situation unequivocally clear.
The MTA, however, is pushing back against the narrative of a system spiraling out of control. MTA Chief of Policy and External Relations John McCarthy issued a statement in response to Duffy’s letter, asserting that crime trends are "moving in the right direction."
McCarthy highlighted that crime is down 40% compared to the same period in 2020, immediately before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He further claimed that so far in 2025, there are fewer daily major crimes in transit than in any non-pandemic year on record. McCarthy also noted that fare evasion has decreased by 25% since the pandemic.
McCarthy’s statement echoed previous remarks made by MTA head Janno Lieber, who suggested that recent high-profile subway attacks have disproportionately impacted public perception, creating a sense of unease that is not fully reflected in the overall crime statistics.
During an appearance on the Bloomberg News podcast "Bloomberg Talks" in January, Lieber argued that "the overall stats are positive" on crime. "Last year, we were actually 12.5% less crime than 2019, the last year before COVID. But there’s no question that some of these high-profile incidents, you know, terrible attacks, have gotten in people’s heads and made the whole system feel less safe," Lieber said.
The conflicting narratives from the federal government and the MTA highlight a critical divergence in how the issue of crime within the city’s transit system is being framed and addressed. The Trump administration appears to be prioritizing a hardline approach, emphasizing enforcement and potentially punitive measures to compel the MTA to take more decisive action.
The MTA, on the other hand, seems to be focused on highlighting positive trends and downplaying the significance of individual incidents, arguing that the overall system is safer than it was in previous years. This difference in approach sets the stage for a potentially contentious showdown between the federal government and the city’s transit authority, with significant implications for the future of the MTA’s funding and the safety of millions of New York City commuters. The dispute raises important questions about the appropriate balance between federal oversight and local control, as well as the most effective strategies for addressing crime and ensuring public safety within complex urban environments.
The outcome of this dispute will have far-reaching consequences for the MTA, which relies heavily on federal funding to maintain its vast transportation network. Reduced funding could lead to service cuts, delayed infrastructure improvements, and potentially increased fares, all of which would disproportionately impact low-income commuters and exacerbate existing inequalities.
Furthermore, the dispute could set a precedent for federal intervention in local transportation matters, potentially leading to similar conflicts in other cities across the country. The Trump administration’s aggressive stance on crime in New York City’s transit system reflects a broader trend of increased federal involvement in local law enforcement issues, raising concerns about the potential for overreach and the erosion of local autonomy.
