Donald Trump Calls Himself 'King' In Social Media Post
www.huffpost.com
Trump's administration is revoking approval for New York City's congestion pricing plan, which is raising money to upgrade the subway system.

Summary

Trump revoked federal approval for New York City’s congestion pricing plan, which aimed to reduce traffic and fund public transit.

Trump celebrated on social media, declaring, “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD… LONG LIVE THE KING!” In response, Governor Kathy Hochul stated, “We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king,” and confirmed the MTA is pursuing legal action.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy claimed the tolls harmed working-class Americans. The $9 fee had improved traffic flow, but enforcement will now be halted.

  • Boddhisatva
    2·
    1 month ago

    I did a little more research and I think that the Federal Highway Administration has to approve the tolls. This is from the fhwa.dot.gov website.

    Under Title 23 of the United States Code (Highways), there is a general prohibition on the imposition of tolls on Federal-aid highways. However, Title 23 and other statutes have also carved out certain exceptions to this general prohibition through special programs. These programs allow tolling to generate revenue to support highway construction activities and/or enable the use of road pricing for congestion management. If Federal funds have been used or will be used on the highway, then the public authority responsible for the facility must qualify for toll authority under one of these Federal toll programs.

    If the tolls are on any roads that used, or will use, federal funds, then FHWA has to approve them. The existing tolls you mentioned are still approved, but the new tolls for congestion management are not now (thanks to Trump).

    • AA5B
      2·
      1 month ago

      Found it: DOT gave final approval after extensive environmental analysis, and apparently is now claiming insufficient environmental analysis. I guess that demonstrates that they do need to give approval but you can’t just change your mind on a whim

      https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/2025/02/20/what-is-ny-congestion-pricing-is-it-canceled/79311985007/

      after four years and 4,000 pages of federally-supervised environmental review — and barely three months after giving final approval to the Congestion Relief Program — USDOT would seek to totally reverse course,” MTA chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said