Early last month, shortly before the Trump administration took over from the Biden administration, New York City enacted surge congestion pricing on drivers in an attempt to force people to use the subway system. New Yorkers of all walks of life opposed the pricing, and Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul even waited until after the 2024 election to enact such a plan. On Wednesday, the Trump administration put an end to the plan, and New York was none too pleased, even suing. What followed were some rather curious reactions.
Not only is New York suing, as Katie covered, but the official State of New York's X account posted a truly strange post about the lawsuit. Whenever President Donald Trump and/or his administration does something they don't like, Democrats seem to rant and rave about how "we are not ruled by a king," whether or not it's a relevant application. Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) brought this up when speaking about the American Revolution earlier this week, even calling for a "revolution" against Trump and Elon Musk.
In sharing Hochul's statement, which was part of a post declaring, "We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king," whoever was running the State of New York's X account thought he or she would be cute, as the quoted repost read, "beep beep babes we're taking u to court," complete with an emoji of two hands forming to make a heart.
beep beep babes we're taking u to court 🫶 https://t.co/S1DZyFv5zY
— State of New York (@NYGov) February 19, 2025
Donald Trump isn't a "king" and we won't let him use New Yorkers as roadkill on his revenge tour.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) February 19, 2025
We’ll see him in court. pic.twitter.com/kVB43hbjQu
Ever since congestion pricing started, traffic has decreased. Commuters are getting to work faster. Foot traffic to local businesses is spiking.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) February 19, 2025
I’m not going to let some wannabe king undermine our public transit system.
Join me live in New York City: https://t.co/pWwS5eLrEw
This is the most recent post for the account, described as "Official Twitter of New York State, " which seems to otherwise mostly post about weather updates.
Given that the surge pricing is so unpopular, it's curious that the post would speak about "we're," from an account that often claims to speak for New Yorkers as a whole.
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According to a Siena College poll from last December, 51 percent of registered New York State voters oppose the plan, while just 29 said they support it. This includes 56 percent of New York City voters and 60 percent of those who live in the downstate suburbs. A majority or plurality of every single demographic opposed the plan, according to the poll.
A major takeaway from that poll highlighted how unpopular Hochul is, with a 39-49 percent favorable rating and a 46-49 percent approval rating. That poll also showed that just 33 percent of voters would reelect her, while 57 percent want "someone else."
Although another Siena College poll from earlier this month didn't ask about congestion pricing, it had even worse numbers for Hochul, including for her future prospects. She's up for reelection in 2026. Her favorable rating is at 39-47 percent, while her approval rating is slightly down at 44-48 percent. However, now just 31 percent say they would reelect her, while 57 percent still want "someone else," which includes 41 percent of Democrats, with 40 percent saying so last December. Further, by 52-22 percent, voters say Hochul "has not improved the fiscal condition of the state of New York."
Multiple posts from the governor's account harped on Trump supposedly acting like a "king." That Trump concluded his Truth Social post with "LONG LIVE THE KING!" may have something to do with it, although again, this is a common refrain from Democrats. Rather, this is the democratic process in action. The Department of Transportation under then-Secretary Pete Buttigieg's direction gave the green light for congestion pricing for New York. Now that a new administration of a new political party has taken office, it's not shocking that the Department of Transportation under Secretary Sean Duffy would bring it to an end.
What an issue for the governor and her state to focus on, and Hochul definitely has focused on this crusade. In strong contrast, Hochul posted a single post from her official account about the pogrom that took place in Brooklyn on Tuesday night.
Last night we saw protesters in Boro Park targeting Jewish New Yorkers with hateful rhetoric and antisemitic chants. This is unacceptable.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) February 19, 2025
We are grateful to @NYPDnews for their diligent work keeping all New Yorkers safe.
The post from the official State of New York's X account and the governor's multiple posts aren't the only unexpected reactions to the Trump administration's move. It goes in the other direction, too.
On Wednesday, the account for Governor Phil Murphy (D-NJ), another Democratic governor of another particularly blue state, put out a statement actually thanking Trump and Duffy.
As the statement read:
“I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Duffy for their efforts to halt the current congestion pricing program in Manhattan’s Central Business District.
“While I have consistently expressed openness to a form of congestion pricing that meaningfully protects the environment and does not unfairly burden hardworking New Jersey commuters, the current program lines the MTA’s pockets at the expense of New Jerseyans.
“Although we have had a difference of opinion with our colleagues in New York on congestion pricing, we have always had a productive relationship with our neighbors across the Hudson. I look forward to continuing that spirit of partnership for the benefit of the entire Tri-State Area.”
New Jersey had sued over the congestion pricing, filing new claims late last month after originally bringing suit in July 2023.
As Murphy's post tellingly points out, "The current program lines the MTA’s pockets at the expense of New Jerseyans." The subway system run by the MTA has also been something of a death trap with a shocking number of violent crimes taking place. It doesn't help that the Manhattan DA's office is run by Alvin Bragg, who would rather prosecute heroes like Daniel Penny than offenders, including repeat offenders, who injure, maim, and even kill innocent bystanders.
I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Duffy for their efforts to halt the current congestion pricing program.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) February 19, 2025
While I have consistently expressed openness to a form of congestion pricing, the current program lines the MTA’s pockets at the expense of New Jerseyans. pic.twitter.com/PNr3qZ8ADE
