Trump shouts' Long Live the King 'as he heads crown to halt New York congestion pricing

Trump reveled in his control of the New York mayor's office, the city's transit system and the federal prosecutor in Lower Manhattan. His most recent show of power was to block a congestion pricing plan in New York that had been in the works for years, and he quickly boasted about it on social media.

Bloomberg quoted Trump as saying on the Truth Social on Wednesday, "Congestion pricing is dead, Manhattan and all of New York is saved." Long live the king!"

In case anyone missed the point, the White House press office later released a composite image of Trump wearing a crown and leaning against the New York skyline.

In the first weeks of his second term, Trump and his "Make America Great Again" campaign have roiled the world, hitting countries like Ukraine, Germany and Panama and upending policies on immigration, diversity and health care at home. But the Queens-born Republican has taken a particularly keen interest in the city's policies, using executive power to influence where he made his name.

New York Governor Tom Hochul holds a news conference at his office in Manhattan on Feb. 20. (AFP)

The congestion charge is expected to raise about US $15 billion (nearly S $20.1 billion) to refurbish metro signalling systems and improve public transport. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the fee "a slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners."

New York's Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul accused the president of violating the state's rights, saying at a news conference Wednesday, "This is an attack on our sovereign identity and our independence from Washington." She said the city would pursue a legal challenge.

Hochul countered on social media that the United States is a country of laws, not a country ruled by Kings. "There hasn't been a king in New York for over 250 years."

The congestion pricing program is expected to bring the city $500 million in its first year. New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) quickly sued Duffy and the Federal Highway Administration in federal court to block the Trump administration's halt, saying they acted illegally in canceling the project. MTA Chief Executive Janno Lieber said the congestion pricing program will remain in effect until the court rules on the matter.

Congestion pricing would impose tolls of at least US $9 (S $12) for vehicles entering the area south of 60th Street in Manhattan during rush hour, with fees as high as US $21.60 (nearly S $29) for big trucks and tour buses. At night, the charge is reduced by 75%.