The far-left Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, conducted an impassioned press conference in which she criticized President Donald Trump for his efforts to abolish New York City’s burdensome congestion pricing. In her remarks, she likened the president to a monarch and pledged to resist him by any means necessary.
On February 19, 2025, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy addressed her in a letter requesting the elimination of the burdensome tolls on New York City highways, which varied from under a dollar to more than $35 based on traffic conditions. The president has voiced worries that these tolls adversely affect working-class Americans.
Regardless, the Governor’s peculiar outburst, shared on the same day as the letter, included theatrical statements regarding Trump. She commenced with, ‘At 1:01 PM today, the New York US Department of Transportation sent us a letter from Secretary Duffy indicating their efforts to terminate the congestion pricing initiative in New York. At 1:58 PM, President Donald Trump tweeted, Long live the king.’
In her ongoing performance, Hochul likened Trump to a sovereign, stating, ‘I want to emphasize that New York has not been ruled by a king for more than 250 years. We certainly will not begin that now, in the very streets where battles were fought. We stood against a king and emerged victorious. Furthermore, let me remind you, New Yorkers, we are currently engaged in a struggle. We do not retreat, not now, not ever.’
The debate was initiated by Sean Duffy’s correspondence, which highlighted that the congestion charges had exceeded their original purpose. He stated, ‘Dear Governor Hochul: I am reaching out to you regarding the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) endorsement of the Central Business District (CBD) Tolling Program (CBDTP)… According to the agreement, the FHWA sanctioned the CBDTP as a deviation from the standard prohibition on tolling highways. The VPPP exception was ratified by Congress in 1991 as a pilot initiative to evaluate congestion alleviation strategies. New York is among the 15 States permitted to execute the program.’
In addition to the letter, Duffy emphasized the effects of the charges on the working population. The transportation secretary remarked, ‘I align with the President’s concerns regarding the additional financial strain placed on working-class Americans in their everyday lives. Those utilizing the highway system within the CBD tolling zone have already contributed to the funding of these highways through gas taxes and various other taxes.’
Expanding on this matter, he clarified that numerous computers lack alternative choices and are compelled to incur these exorbitant charges. Duffy further stated, ‘The recent implementation of the CBDTP pilot project on residents, businesses, and commuters has deprived highway users of any complimentary highway options for travel within the designated area. Additionally, the funds raised through this pilot initiative are allocated to the transit system rather than the highways utilized. I find this arrangement to be unjust.’
In conclusion, Duffy articulated his rationale for opposing the congestion pricing initiative. He stated, “Considering the President’s apprehensions regarding the CBDTP pilot project, the legal disputes that have arisen, and the issues raised by New Jersey Governor Murphy and Commissioner O’Connor, I have assessed the tolling authority conferred to the CBDTP pilot project under VPPP to ensure its adherence to Federal law. For the reasons detailed below, I have determined that the parameters of this pilot project, as sanctioned, surpass the authority bestowed by Congress under VPPP.”
