WATCH: Hochul Goes on Unhinged Public Rant after Trump Takes Action against Her

The far-left Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, conducted an emotional press conference where she criticized President Donald Trump for his initiative to abolish New York City’s burdensome congestion pricing. During her outburst, she likened the president to a monarch and pledged to resist him at all costs.

For context, on February 19, 2025, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy sent her a letter proposing the elimination of the excessive tolls on New York City Highways, which varied from under a dollar to more than $35, depending on traffic conditions. The president has voiced concerns that these tolls adversely affect working-class Americans.

Regardless, the Governor’s peculiar outburst, which was shared on the same day as the letter, included dramatic statements regarding Trump. She commenced with, “At 1:01 pm today, the New York US Department of Transportation emailed us a letter from Secretary Duffy announcing their attempt to end the congestion pricing program in the state of New York. At 1:58 pm, President Donald Trump tweeted Long live the king.”

Continuing her dramatic display, Hochul equated Trump to a sovereign. She remarked, “I’m here to say York hasn’t endured a king in over 250 years. We are not sure as hell. Are not going to start now, the streets of the city where battles were fought. We stood up to a king, and we won. Then, in case you don’t know, New Yorkers, we’re in a fight. We do not back down, not now, not ever.

The debate was initiated by Sean Duffy’s correspondence, which highlighted that the congestion charges had exceeded their original purpose. He stated, “Dear Governor Hochul: I am writing to you regarding the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) endorsement of the Central Business District (CBD) Tolling Program (CBDTP)… According to the agreement, the FHWA sanctioned the CBDTP as a deviation from the standard prohibition against tolling on highways. Congress authorized the VPPP exception in 1991 as a pilot program to evaluate congestion alleviation strategies. New York is among 15 States permitted to execute the program.”

In addition to his letter, Duffy emphasized the charges’ effects on working individuals. The transportation secretary remarked, “I share the President’s concerns regarding the effects on working-class Americans who now face an extra financial burden in their everyday lives. Users of the highway system within the CBD tolling zone have already contributed to the construction and enhancement of these highways through their gas taxes and other tax payments.”

Watch Hochul’s reaction here:

Expanding on this matter, he clarified that numerous computers lack alternative options and are compelled to incur these exorbitant fees. Duffy further stated, “The recent implementation of the CBDTP pilot project on residents, businesses, and commuters has deprived highway users of any free highway alternatives for travel within the designated area. Additionally, the funds generated from this pilot program are allocated to the transit system rather than the highways utilized. I do not consider this arrangement to be equitable.”

In conclusion, Duffy articulated his reasons for advocating the termination of congestion pricing. He remarked, “Considering the President’s apprehensions regarding the CBDTP pilot project, the legal disputes that have arisen, along with the concerns raised by New Jersey Governor Murphy and New Jersey Commissioner O’Connor, I have examined the tolling authority conferred under VPPP to the CBDTP pilot project to ensure its adherence to Federal law. For the reasons detailed below, I have determined that the extent of this pilot project as sanctioned surpasses the authority bestowed by Congress under VPPP.”