Days after suggesting he is above the law, former President Donald Trump sparked controversy by declaring himself “king” after his administration moved to block New York City’s congestion pricing plan.
“CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday, Feb. 19. “Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!”
His statement quickly drew reactions, including a response from the White House’s X account, which shared a mock Time magazine cover featuring Trump wearing a crown. White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich also posted an AI-generated image of Trump dressed in regal attire.
In a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy outlined the administration’s plans to halt the toll system, calling it “backwards and unfair” and a “slap in the face to working-class Americans and small businesses.”
The congestion pricing plan, which aimed to reduce traffic and raise funds for the city’s aging transit system, had already been approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Governor Hochul wasted no time responding to Trump’s remarks, emphasizing the importance of public transit and dismissing his self-proclaimed royal status.
“We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king,” Hochul said. “We’ll see you in court.”
During a press conference, she added:
“New York hasn’t labored under a king in over 250 years. We sure as hell are not going to start now. In case you don’t know New Yorkers, we’re going to fight. We do not back down, not now, not ever.”
New York City Council member Justin Brannan also condemned Trump’s interference, referring to a recent Justice Department decision to drop a federal corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams.
“Doesn’t matter what you think of congestion pricing, the federal government doesn’t get to make this decision. NY State passed a law, USDOT approved it.
No matter what corrupt deal Donald Trump made with the Mayor, he isn’t king. Only fools concede to false power. It’s an illusion,” Brannan said.
Democratic Congressman Don Beyer echoed the sentiment, writing on X: “We don’t have kings in the USA.”
