US President Donald Trump’s administration has issued a stark warning to New York City’s transit authority, demanding that crime levels in the city’s subway system be reduced or face potential cuts to federal funding.
Transportation secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to the metro transportation authority (MTA) on Tuesday, emphasising the administration’s commitment to public safety and calling for immediate action to curb rising crime rates. The federal government currently provides the MTA with billions of dollars in funding, which could now be at risk.
“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 also underscored concerns about the safety of daily commuters, arguing that riders should not have to fear for their well-being while travelling through the city. “Commuters are sick and tired of feeling like they have to jeopardise their safety to get to work, go to school, or travel around the city. We will continue to fight to ensure their federal tax dollars are going toward a crime-free commute.”
The letter formally requests that the MTA provide data on fare evasion, assaults on workers and customers, and police patrols. Additionally, the department of transportation is seeking an explanation of how federal funding has been used to enhance security measures in the transit system.
“I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter to avoid further consequences, up to and including redirecting or withholding funding,” Duffy warned.
MTA chief of policy and external relations John McCarthy responded to the letter, asserting that crime rates in the transit system are improving. “Crime is down 40% compared to the same period in 2020 right before the pandemic, and so far in 2025, there are fewer daily major crimes in transit than any non-pandemic year ever,” McCarthy said, also noting a 25% decline in fare evasion since the Covid-19 pandemic.
MTA chair Janno Lieber echoed this sentiment in January, acknowledging public concerns over subway safety but arguing that overall crime statistics paint a different picture. Speaking on Bloomberg News’ podcast “Bloomberg Talks,” Lieber said, “Last year, we actually saw 12.5% less crime than 2019, the last year before Covid. But there’s no question that some of these high-profile incidents—terrible attacks—have gotten in people’s heads and made the whole system feel less safe.”
Despite reassurances from transit officials, the federal government’s warning signals a potential clash over crime policies and funding. If the MTA fails to meet the administration’s demands, it could face significant financial repercussions that may impact the city’s transit system and its millions of daily riders.
