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Days after suggesting he is above the law, Donald Trump declared himself “king” following his administration’s move to strike down New York’s congestion pricing plan, which aimed to impose tolls on Manhattan drivers to fund the city’s aging transit system.
“CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday, February 19. “Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!”
The White House’s official X account later shared Trump’s statement alongside a mock Time magazine cover depicting him wearing a crown, with the caption, “Long live the king.”
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich also posted an AI-generated image of Trump dressed in regal attire, further fueling criticism.
In a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy outlined the administration’s objections to the congestion pricing plan, stating that federal officials would work with the state to ensure an “orderly cessation of toll operations.” Duffy called the initiative “backwards and unfair,” arguing that it disproportionately impacted working-class Americans and small business owners.
Governor Hochul fired back, emphasizing that public transit is vital to New York City’s economy. She noted that congestion had already dropped since the policy’s implementation and dismissed Trump’s claim to power.
“We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king,” Hochul said. “We’ll see you in court.”
In a separate address, she added, “New York hasn’t labored under a king in over 250 years, and we sure as hell aren’t going to start now.”
New York City Council member Justin Brannan also condemned Trump’s intervention, pointing out that congestion pricing was passed as state law and approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“No matter what corrupt deal Donald Trump made with the mayor, he isn’t king,” Brannan said. “Only fools concede to false power. It’s an illusion.”
Other lawmakers echoed similar sentiments. Virginia Representative Don Beyer wrote on X, “We don’t have kings in the USA.” Meanwhile, Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg mocked Trump’s supporters, highlighting their contradictions by sharing the AI-generated magazine cover with the caption: “Republicans: Stop overreacting and calling Trump a king. Literally the White House Twitter account:”
Trump’s statement follows his earlier claim that “he who saves his country does not violate any law,” a message shared by the White House’s X account in what appeared to be an endorsement of unchecked presidential power.
On February 18, Trump issued an executive order consolidating regulatory control over independent agencies, effectively preventing them from opposing his administration’s directives.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) responded by filing a lawsuit against Transportation Secretary Duffy and federal officials, arguing that the Trump administration acted unlawfully and for “blatantly political reasons.” The MTA emphasized that the program had undergone extensive federal review and approval before being suddenly revoked.
If Trump’s decision stands, the lawsuit warns, it could strip more than $15 billion in planned transit upgrades, affecting millions of daily subway and bus riders.
MTA Chair Janno Lieber expressed frustration over the abrupt reversal, stating, “After four years and 4,000 pages of federally-supervised environmental review—and barely three months after final approval—this sudden about-face is mystifying.”
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander also criticized the administration, calling Trump’s actions “another instance of federal overreach.”
