New York Governor Kathy Hochul advocated for the implementation of congestion tolls in Manhattan during a recent meeting at the White House with former President Donald Trump, a spokesperson disclosed. The meeting, which lasted over an hour, allowed the two officials to discuss various topics including immigration, infrastructure, economic development, energy strategies, and nuclear power. Hochul shared with Trump a booklet highlighting the positive early outcomes of the congestion pricing model, according to press secretary Avi Small. Further details about their discussion were not provided, and the White House did not respond immediately to requests for comments.
This dialogue comes in the wake of a federal directive halting the congestion pricing initiative, which was initiated on January 5. The program aims to alleviate traffic congestion and generate funding for public transit by imposing a $9 toll on vehicles entering the busiest sections of Manhattan south of Central Park. Officials in the transit sector noted that there has been a slight but observable decrease in traffic flow since the toll was implemented.
Despite the federal suspension, the tolls are currently still in effect due to a legal challenge led by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). This state agency that oversees public transport in New York City has filed a lawsuit seeking to maintain the tolls. Hochul affirmed that the tolls will persist while the court case is underway.
The former president, whose properties including Trump Tower are located within the congestion toll zone, proclaimed victory following the announcement from the Trump administration. Trump declared on his social media platform that “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED,” and even shared an image depicting himself wearing a crown against the New York skyline backdrop.
In a rebuttal, Hochul stated assertively, “New York hasn’t labored under a king in over 250 years,” during a news briefing at Grand Central Terminal, emphasizing that this is not the time to revert to such governance.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy publicly criticized the congestion pricing proposal, labeling the tolls as “a slap in the face to working-class Americans and small business owners.” The issue has generated significant division within New York; opposition primarily stems from suburban commuters and residents of areas lacking adequate subway access. Advocates for the toll, however, argue it serves as an innovative mechanism to enhance traffic flow and mitigate air pollution.
Tensions between New York officials and the Trump administration have arisen in other realms as well. Hochul has openly criticized federal efforts to dismiss a corruption investigation into New York Mayor Eric Adams. Additionally, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has recently instigated legal action against Hochul and the state’s attorney general concerning legislation that allows undocumented individuals to obtain driver’s licenses, claiming it undermines federal immigration enforcement.
In another turn of events, Trump associate Elon Musk publicly rebuked federal reimbursements intended for New York City to cover hotel expenses for migrants. This backlash led to a cessation of those payments and the dismissal of four federal employees. Moreover, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reclaimed over $80 million from the city for expenses connected to migrant shelters, prompting further legal challenges.
At the same time, state Attorney General Letitia James, alongside her Democratic counterparts from other states, has initiated lawsuits against the Trump administration. These suits focus on issues such as the access granted to Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency concerning sensitive federal payment details of American citizens and efforts to restrict federal funding to the states.
