Trump calls himself ‘king’ after killing NYC congestion pricing, sparking legal battle

President Donald Trump is facing backlash after blocking New York City’s congestion pricing program and declaring himself a “king” in a social media post.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump announced, “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!”

The move, which halts a planned $9 toll for drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street, has drawn sharp criticism from New York officials. Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the decision, asserting, “We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king.” She confirmed that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York to challenge the administration’s intervention.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy formalized the federal action, stating in a letter to Governor Hochul that the congestion pricing plan placed an “unfair financial burden” on working-class commuters. He also noted that federal officials would begin the process of shutting down the program.

Trump’s assertion of executive authority follows his recent embrace of the unitary executive theory, which promotes expansive presidential powers. His administration has been actively pushing legal boundaries, with multiple lawsuits filed against recent executive actions.

The battle over congestion pricing now heads to the courts, as New York officials fight to restore the program and challenge Trump’s intervention. With lawsuits pending, the fate of the policy—and Trump’s ability to override state decisions—remains uncertain.