New York’s money-grabbing Manhattan congestion toll continues to drain drivers’ wallets despite Trump administration’s Easter deadline to end this highway robbery.
At a Glance
- Manhattan’s $9 congestion toll remains in effect despite the Trump administration’s efforts to end it by Easter
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy rescinded federal approval, calling the toll “a slap in the face to working class Americans”
- New York officials defied the federal government, filing lawsuits and keeping toll cameras operational
- The toll is the first of its kind in the U.S. and is projected to generate $500 million by year-end
Big Government vs. Working Americans
In a stunning display of big government defiance, New York officials are thumbing their noses at the Trump administration’s order to end Manhattan’s congestion pricing toll. Despite Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s rescinding of federal approval and setting an Easter deadline, New Yorkers are still being forced to fork over up to $9 just for the privilege of driving into lower Manhattan. This highway robbery continues unabated while Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration openly flaunts federal authority, keeping the toll cameras running and the money flowing into state coffers.
Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy calls NYC congestion pricing ‘elitist’
Let’s be crystal clear about what’s happening here: this is nothing but a cash grab disguised as environmental policy. The toll, implemented on January 5, was billed as a way to reduce traffic and fund the city’s failing transit system. But what it really does is punish working-class Americans who can’t afford to live in Manhattan but still need to drive there for their livelihoods. President Trump recognized this injustice and took action to stop it, but New York’s progressive leadership would rather fight the federal government than give up their new revenue stream.
Constitutional Showdown
The legal battle has now escalated into a full-blown constitutional crisis. New York has filed a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s authority to revoke approval for the toll, while the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) continues to collect fees using traffic cameras throughout the congestion zone. This brazen disregard for federal authority raises serious questions about states’ rights versus federal oversight. But it also exposes the hypocrisy of progressives who typically champion federal power – except when it interferes with their taxation schemes.
“Your refusal to end cordon pricing and your open disrespect towards the federal government is unacceptable.” – Sean Duffy
Secretary Duffy didn’t mince words when addressing New York’s defiance. He called the congestion toll “a slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners” and promised to “not hesitate to use every tool at our disposal” to end it. Meanwhile, MTA officials smugly declared that “the cameras are staying on” in a blatant display of contempt for federal authority. This is the same authority that progressives insist must be respected on issues like immigration and climate policy – their hypocrisy knows no bounds.
Follow The Money
What’s really driving this stubborn resistance? Follow the money. The toll is projected to generate a whopping $500 million by year-end, funding a transit system that’s been mismanaged for decades. Rather than fixing the corruption and inefficiency plaguing the MTA, New York’s solution is predictably to squeeze more money from hardworking Americans. It’s worth noting that Trump’s own properties are within the congestion zone – yet he’s fighting against the toll anyway, because unlike New York’s leadership, he recognizes the burden this places on everyday Americans.
“Nothing is going to change, and we are very confident that there won’t be a rollback of congestion pricing because the program stepped through every hoop on the way to getting that federal approval.” – Janno Lieber
The arrogance of MTA chairman Janno Lieber is breathtaking. His declaration that “nothing is going to change” reveals the true face of progressive governance – unaccountable bureaucrats who believe they’re untouchable. While they claim the toll has reduced vehicle entries by 13%, they conveniently ignore the economic damage done to small businesses in Manhattan and the financial strain placed on working-class commuters who can’t afford alternatives. This is elitism at its worst – Manhattan’s wealthy liberals implementing policies that harm the very working-class Americans they claim to champion.
