Statement from NYC Comptroller Lander Demanding Legal Action by the Law Department in Response to the Seizure of FEMA Funds

“Earlier this week, I called on the New York City Law Department and Mayor Adams to pursue aggressive legal action against President Trump and his crony Elon Musk to recover the $80 million in FEMA funding seized from the City’s bank account. Given the gravity of the situation, we cannot afford to waste any more time. If the Mayor would prefer to spend his days advancing President Trump’s agenda instead of fighting for New Yorkers, then the Law Department must allow me to do so.

“Today, I sent a letter urging the Law Department to immediately initiate legal action to secure the return of these funds from the federal government, and I am demanding that the Law Department confirm their intent to file suit, along with the anticipated filing date, by no later than 5 PM today.

“If the Law Department will not proceed with immediate and aggressive legal action, then for the sake of New Yorkers, they must authorize my Office to engage outside legal counsel to represent the City. To this, I expect the Law Department’s response by 10 AM on Tuesday, February 18.

“Recovering these funds is imperative, and any action, or non-action, allowing the Trump administration to proceed without consequence would set a dangerous precedent and make our City a target for the next four years. It would be a dereliction of duty for me, as the City’s chief financial officer, to not stand up against this federal overreach—and I am now, and will continue, pursuing every option available to defend from President Trump, his henchmen, and anyone else working against the interests of New York City.”

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