Donald Trump has pledged to kill New York City's controversial congestion pricing policy, House Republicans say.

The congestion plan, meant to discourage people from driving on some of the busiest streets in America, is the first of its kind in the country. Drivers must now pay $9 to enter Manhattan below 60th street under the plan.

The plan has sparked intense local opposition from Republicans, who say it taxes working people and funnels commuters into the city's public transit system, which many people no longer feel safe using after a series of horrific subway crimes.

Trump targets new toll

After the first week, local transit authority, MTA, claims congestion pricing is working. That is, fewer drivers are using Manhattan's famously gridlocked streets and opting, instead, for its dingy public transit.

"The purpose of the program is to reduce the number of vehicles entering what had been the most congested district in the country," Juliette Michaelson, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's deputy chief of policy and external relations, said during a press briefing on Monday. "The program is working."

Republicans who met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago over the weekend say Trump wants to end the toll. They also said Trump wants to raise the cap on SALT, the state and local tax deduction favored by people in high-tax states like New York.

“He did agree it’s got to go,” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) told the New York Post.

“So we’re going to work through how his administration can do so,” he added.

New York shifting

While it might seem like Trump is wading into an intensely local political war, it's just another example of his shrewd efforts to reach everyday Americans frustrated with liberal misrule.

After decades of solid Democratic dominance, New York shifted to the right in 2024, with Trump coming within shocking margins of winning the Empire State and flipping Nassau County, which neighbors the city, red for the first time since the 1980s.

Following his re-election win, Trump spoke on the phone with Hochul about renovating New York City's dilapidated subways and Penn Station.

When asked about Trump's plans for congestion pricing, Hochul was dismissive.

“This has been very litigious. President-elect Trump has said that, but I also know he’s a New Yorker,” Hochul said Friday.

“I think he’ll understand that. Let’s give this a try. It’s brand new. Let’s see what happens to the region. So, I’m always willing to work with anyone who wants to help our city,” Hochul continued.