The Trump administration is ramping up its pressure campaign against Democratic-led states and cities, saying this week that it could withhold funding from New York City’s subways unless local officials turn over information about transit crime and safety funding.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made the demand in a letter released Tuesday night, and gave New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority until the end of the month to comply.
Duffy has sent similar letters in the last month to the heads of California’s High Speed Rail system and Washington’s Metro system. But the letter to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority was the most explicit threat so far to an agency’s funding.
“I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter to avoid further consequences, up to and including redirecting or withholding funding,” Duffy wrote in the letter.
