Federal Judge Rules Trump Can’t Kill Congestion Pricing

Key Takeaways

• Judge Liman blocks Trump from ending NY toll
• Authority to charge toll lies with MTA, not DOT
• Congestion pricing cuts Manhattan traffic, improves air quality
• Program funds subway repairs, generating new revenue
• Ruling affirms state control over local transportation policy

Summary

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration lacks authority to terminate New York’s congestion pricing program, affirming that only the MTA can set and collect the tolls under the Biden‑era agreement. The 149‑page decision blocks Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s threats to withhold federal funds unless the tolls are stopped. The ruling preserves a program that has already reduced Manhattan traffic, cut emissions, and generated revenue for subway repairs. Governor Kathy Hochul hailed the decision as a victory for state sovereignty and urban mobility.

Pulse Analysis

New York’s congestion pricing scheme, launched in 2025, is part of the federal Value Pricing Pilot Program that authorizes tolls to manage traffic flow and fund transit. The Biden administration’s agreement granted the Metropolitan Transportation Authority sole authority to impose and collect the toll, sidestepping the Department of Transportation’s traditional oversight. By anchoring the program in a congressional framework, the policy gained legal resilience, allowing it to survive the Trump administration’s attempts to reverse it.

The courtroom showdown highlighted a rare clash between a former president’s transportation secretary and a state governor. Judge Lewis Liman, a Trump appointee, concluded that the DOT’s statutory power does not include unilateral termination of projects initiated by a predecessor. His ruling not only nullified Sean Duffy’s threats to withhold federal highway funds but also reinforced the principle that federally funded pilots cannot be unilaterally dismantled by a changing administration. This outcome underscores the limits of executive authority when Congress has explicitly delegated operational control to a state agency.

Beyond the legal victory, the decision carries significant implications for urban mobility and fiscal strategy. Early data show the toll has reduced vehicle entries into Manhattan’s central business district, easing congestion, lowering emissions, and generating a steady stream of revenue earmarked for subway repairs. As other megacities consider similar pricing models, New York’s experience—now fortified by judicial backing—offers a template for leveraging local control to achieve climate goals and infrastructure funding without relying on volatile federal policy shifts.