The Trump administration has granted New York a 30-day extension to end its controversial congestion pricing program, temporarily defusing a heated political standoff. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the extension just hours before the initial deadline, warning Governor Kathy Hochul that continued defiance could lead to serious consequences, including the loss of federal funding. Duffy slammed the tolls as “unlawful” and a “slap in the face to hard-working Americans,” accusing the state of prioritizing revenue over drivers’ rights.

Despite the temporary reprieve, New York leaders have vowed to keep the program running, arguing that the federal government lacks the authority to unilaterally reverse the policy, which was previously approved by the Biden administration. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (M.T.A.) has filed a lawsuit to prevent federal interference, insisting that the tolling plan is essential for reducing traffic in Manhattan and funding long-overdue mass transit repairs.

The legal and political battle is expected to intensify in the coming weeks. With billions of dollars in transit funding on the line, the outcome could have far-reaching implications for the future of state-level transportation policies and federal oversight.