New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared she will "lead the resistance" against the Trump administration, a stark contrast to her statements just weeks prior. This shift comes amidst a clash over New York City's congestion pricing plan, which the Trump administration recently halted.
In an interview with NPR's "Morning Edition," Hochul expressed her commitment to fighting back against the administration's decision. She emphasized New York's initial attempts at collaboration on infrastructure projects like Penn Station, but stated that the administration's move against congestion pricing constituted "drawing first blood." Hochul asserted that she would fiercely oppose policies detrimental to New Yorkers, emphasizing the state's autonomy in such decisions.
This new stance contradicts Hochul's earlier position, reported by the New York Post, where she explicitly denied leading any resistance against the Trump administration, focusing instead on governing New York.
The congestion pricing program, implemented in January, aimed to alleviate traffic and bolster mass transit funding by charging a $9 toll for most vehicles entering Manhattan's central business district. The Trump administration's intervention last month brought the program to a standstill.
Following the program's halt, Hochul met with President Trump to advocate for congestion pricing, though she later admitted the meeting likely didn't sway his decision.
Hochul further expanded her position on Monday, arguing that Democratic governors must act as a "firewall" against the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans, particularly regarding potential cuts to federally funded social programs. She urged fellow Democratic governors to defend long-standing policies that benefit the public.
