President Donald Trump's administration is laying down the gauntlet for New York City, demanding the Metro Transportation Authority (MTA) rein in crime across its transit system or risk losing billions in federal funding. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued the sharp warning in a letter on Tuesday, signaling the administration’s firm stance on public safety.

In his letter, Duffy declared that the current state of affairs—rampant violent crime, homelessness, and other public safety threats—is unacceptable. He pointed fingers at years of “soft-on-crime policies” and asserted that the Department is stepping in to “restore order” to one of the nation’s busiest transit systems. Duffy didn’t mince words, emphasizing that commuters have had enough of feeling unsafe while simply trying to get to work or school.

The letter also calls for detailed data from the MTA, including statistics on fare evasion, worker assaults, customer assaults, and police patrols. Duffy is demanding accountability for how federal funds have been utilized to enhance safety and security.

“I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter to avoid further consequences, up to and including redirecting or withholding funding,” Duffy wrote. Clearly, this is not a mere suggestion—it’s a full-blown ultimatum.

On the other side of the table, MTA Chief of Policy and External Relations John McCarthy pushed back, arguing that crime trends are, in fact, improving. He pointed out that major crimes are down 40% compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2020, and fare evasion has dropped by 25% since the COVID-19 era. McCarthy’s statement echoed earlier comments by MTA head Janno Lieber, who acknowledged that high-profile subway attacks had left the impression that the system is unsafe, despite overall positive crime statistics.

Lieber argued during a podcast appearance that while incidents like violent subway attacks have understandably “gotten in people’s heads,” the reality is that crime in the transit system is lower than it’s been in years.

It seems like a classic clash of narratives: the federal government portraying a city spiraling into chaos while local officials insist the numbers tell a far less alarming story. If nothing else, Duffy’s demands are bound to turn up the heat on NYC’s transit authority—and maybe even spark some overdue improvements.

New York City News

Trump Admin Demands NYC 'Restore Order' Amid Rampant Crime or Face Billions in Funding Cuts