Former President Donald Trump is pushing New York to scrap Manhattan’s congestion pricing through the Department of Transportation. He warned that the Justice Department is also reviewing the state’s “sanctuary” policies for illegal migrants. According to the New York Post, the DOT could withhold funding or reopen the environmental review that approved the toll under Biden.
Trump also vowed to remove bike lanes and address criminal activity on New York City streets. He remains hopeful that discussions with Governor Kathy Hochul will lead to a resolution, declining to share details of their calls. He criticized the $9 congestion tax, calling it “destructive to New York” and claiming he could cancel it through Washington.
The new toll, implemented last month, funds public transit improvements and aims to reduce subway ridership declines. However, Trump argues it hurts businesses, as fewer people drive into Manhattan. “Traffic is down because people can’t afford it,” he said. “They don’t even know about it until they get the bill.”
Part of New York’s $36 billion in federal transportation funds is now at risk if Trump intervenes. He also took aim at bike lanes and pedestrian paths, blaming them for increased congestion and safety risks. “These electric bikes go 20 mph. They’re dangerous,” he told The Post.
On immigration, Trump reiterated his opposition to sanctuary city policies, suggesting legal action against New York. “We’ll have to sue,” he said, arguing that most New Yorkers oppose protecting criminal migrants. His Justice Department recently sued Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for obstructing immigration enforcement.
Trump’s border advisor, Tom Homan, echoed his stance: “Sanctuary cities are sanctuaries for criminals.”
