Gov. Phil Murphy Faces Backlash for Praising Trump’s Move to Block NYC Congestion Pricing
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
TRENTON, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) faced sharp criticism from social media users after he praised President Donald Trump for halting New York City’s congestion pricing program, a move that broke ranks with his fellow Democrats.
Murphy, who has frequently clashed with officials in neighboring New York over the program’s steep fees, expressed his gratitude for Trump’s intervention. The program, which aims to reduce congestion in Manhattan through tolls, was revoked by the Trump administration this week, though it remains in legal limbo.
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On Wednesday, the Trump administration announced it had withdrawn federal authorization for the congestion pricing tolls. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) swiftly responded by filing a lawsuit in federal court.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) and the MTA confirmed that toll cameras would remain operational despite the order. However, Murphy took an opposing stance, siding with Trump’s move and expressing gratitude for the decision.
“I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Duffy for their efforts to halt the current congestion pricing program. While I have consistently expressed openness to a form of congestion pricing, the current program lines the MTA’s pockets at the expense of New Jerseyans,” Murphy said in a statement Wednesday.
His comments drew immediate backlash from progressives and Democratic figures. “Phil Murphy is a disgrace,” wrote Tom Watson, author of The Liberal newsletter.
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“Phil Murphy is a Democrat. Once again, the current field of Democratic leadership shows themselves as being completely unfit and unprepared for this moment,” former Kansas state legislator Raj Goyle wrote on X. “Yesterday, Donald Trump declared himself king and announced illegal unilateral action over New Yorkers. Today, this ‘Democrat’ praises him. Pathetic. We need new Democratic leadership and we need it now.”
Independent journalist Marisa Kabas added, “[I] hope New Jersey Democratic Governor Phil Murphy is proud of himself for working with Trump to doom NYC congestion pricing. Hope aligning with a fascist was worth it, Phil.”
Sam Deutsch, author of the Better Cities newsletter, also weighed in, writing on Bluesky: “Trump: ‘I am a king’ Phil Murphy: ‘Thank you sir’ Murphy is an utter disgrace.”
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Murphy’s decision to back Trump on the congestion pricing issue has intensified the debate over his political positioning and raised questions about intra-party unity within the Democratic Party.
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