UJ —
During a meeting in the Oval Office on Friday afternoon, Gov. Kathy Hochul faced Donald Trump, choosing a different tactic instead of confronting him directly about his efforts to dismantle New York’s pay-for-entry congestion pricing plan.
Before heading to the White House, the Democratic governor shared in a UJ interview that she had been in discussions with Trump’s administration, emphasizing the $15 billion that the congestion pricing would generate for public transit through tolls and her intent to shift the narrative against the president.
“You can’t choke the lifeblood of our city, because I will hold you accountable. If the trains are delayed, if a signal malfunctions, if stations are flooded and remain closed for weeks, I will point the finger at you,” Hochul conveyed to Trump. “Just giving you a heads-up.”
Inside the Oval Office, Trump showcased the decor, including various paintings. As per an individual familiar with the discussion, their exchange was lively yet friendly. This followed a previous tense moment when Trump declared via a surprise post that he aimed to abolish congestion pricing, concluding with “LONG LIVE THE KING,” to which Hochul retorted that there were no kings in America.
Prior to his first presidential run, Trump had considered a gubernatorial run in New York but found no viable path to victory. Despite relocating to Mar-a-Lago in Florida, he remains fixated on the city that shaped his vocal persona and where he commenced his illustrious real estate career.
For Hochul, who previously conversed amicably with Trump during his presidential transition, this was an opening. “As the first president from New York since Franklin Roosevelt, he should be concerned about ensuring the functionality of our subway system. He should care that I have sufficient funding to adequately police our subways. He should care that I have enough resources to restore the beauty of Penn Station.”
Hochul’s hectic week also positions her as the first in Trump’s new term among expected Democratic figures who will attempt to collaborate with him but may face his ire ultimately. Additionally, she’s the first to have other Democrats, like New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, side with Trump when their interests converge – Murphy publicly commended the administration’s stance on the congestion pricing toll affecting New Jersey commuters. (A spokesperson for Murphy opted not to comment, while Hochul stated, “Since when do I need to prioritize what New Jerseyans want?”)
Hochul had originally intended to discuss congestion pricing with Trump a week earlier but had to cancel after learning through news reports that Attorney General Pam Bondi planned to sue New York over its immigration policies. Given the ongoing turmoil surrounding New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has denied any deals with the Trump administration to advance its immigration agenda in exchange for halting his corruption indictments, she wanted to avoid any implications of negotiation.
“I was merely emphasizing that I won’t allow this situation to unfold and then rush to talk to you under the impression, ‘Oh, can you make this disappear?’” she remarked.
Hochul instead undertook two visits to the White House on Friday while attending the National Governors Association gathering — first in the morning with all the governors, during which several joked about how they would protect her if Bondi attempted to serve her a subpoena, and then again on short notice in the late afternoon, where it was just her, Trump, and a handful of other administration officials in the Oval Office.
Hochul countered any insinuations that she had misjudged Trump or was astonished by his rapid shift against her.
“It’s not about naivety. It’s simply stating, ‘I will explore every option,’ and when that route leads nowhere, then I will switch to a more confrontational stance. I don’t need to start off with that, even if some other Democrats have.”
Hochul departed without any assurance from Trump regarding a change in his stance on congestion pricing, which state Republican allies — some of whom may challenge her in the upcoming election — have urged him to reconsider. However, she did leave with an aide noting that she presented Trump with “a booklet highlighting the early successes of congestion pricing.”
White House representatives did not respond to requests for comments on the meeting.
Hochul has been in more recent communication with the president than with the mayor, whose statutory removal powers she announced on Thursday she would not exercise. Nevertheless, she is implementing “guardrails” to make sure he does not overreach in yielding to the president.
When asked directly if New Yorkers should trust the mayor’s capability to handle his responsibilities, Hochul evaded a clear answer but offered a sly smile when reminded of her previous statement that she was not removing him “at this moment.”
“I would be foolish to eliminate all my options in this position, given the circumstances,” she remarked.
Similarly to her dealings with Trump, whom she left in the Oval Office with data aimed at justifying the congestion pricing plan, every action she takes concerning Adams is scrutinized in light of its potential implications for her political future as she prepares for a possible second full term next year.
Hochul dismissed any implication that political calculations were her main concern.
“I upset half of everyone no matter what action I take,” she commented regarding her decisions involving Adams. “How does this advance my position?”
