Senator Kim Demands Support from Trump Admin for FEMA Program Critical to Combating Antisemitism
May 20, 2025
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ)pressed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on the need to support and expand FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program, a critical security tool for synagogues and temples in New Jersey as incidences of antisemitism rise. Senator Kim demanded the Secretary ensure the program is protected as President Trump continues to call for FEMA’s complete elimination.
“I want to engage with you on this further because when we’re hearing this language about abolishing FEMA, one of the elements that people have raised the most concerns about is what does that mean for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. I really do urge you to work with me and this committee to have a declarative stance on that so people, especially those concerned about antisemitism can have clarity on what comes next,” said Senator Kim.
Senator Kim emphasized the strong bipartisan support in the Senate to protect the program and his continued commitment to increase funding for the program to address the scourge of antisemitism in our country. When asked if she’d be open to an increase of funding to the program Secretary Noem responded, “we definitely have seen the value in the program and are willing to discuss this with [the Senator].”
As Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs’ subcommittee that oversees FEMA, Senator Kim has continued to address the need to support this program to protect Jewish communities across the state. He has also continued to address the need for more persistent support to synagogues and temples as they face ongoing security threats and costs.
At a Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing in May, the Senator spoke about the program and need for further support: “We want to preserve it, we want to increase the funds, but one thing I also hear is that from the synagogues, the temples that I talk to it’s not just one-off security they need…this is the top budget item for every single synagogue every single year.”
As a member of the House of Representatives, he helped secure grant funding through the program to protect local religious communities in his congressional district and his office facilitated security briefings with New Jersey interfaith leaders to connect them with guidance and resources through the program.
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