A federal judge on Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order halting the Trump administration’s effort to kill New York City’s controversial congestion pricing program. The decision, made by U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Liman, prevents the administration from either eliminating the program or withholding federal funding if the city fails to remove it. The ruling keeps the tolls in place through at least June 9 and shields the city from potential retaliation from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
“The judge’s ruling today was not on the merits of our case against Hochul’s class warfare, but rather a temporary pause to have more time to reach a decision,” a Department of Transportation spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Enforcement actions for noncompliance were merely under consideration, and we will comply with the judge’s request to hold.” While the statement did not address the merits of the case, it indicates the administration is willing to comply with the court’s order for now.
The congestion pricing program was launched in January, using electronic license plate readers to charge most drivers a $9 toll during peak periods to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street. The administration had previously set a deadline for the city to shut down the program, which it claimed was a “class warfare” policy that unfairly targets working-class drivers. The city has defended the program as a necessary measure to reduce congestion and improve public transit, noting a significant decrease in car traffic since its implementation.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment. In February, Trump posted an image of himself wearing a crown and wrote, “CONGEST, a controversial policy implemented to reduce traffic congestion and fund public transit improvements, has become a lightning rod for political debate. The judge’s decision temporarily halts the Trump administration’s attempt to eliminate the program, preserving the tolls until at least June 9 and preventing retaliation against the city. The ruling underscores the ongoing legal and political battle over the policy, which has drawn strong opposition from the administration and support from city officials and residents who see it as an effective tool for reducing traffic and improving transit.