Hochul has engaged when necessary. She told reporters the spending freeze is harmful and backed Attorney General Letitia James leading a multistate lawsuit to squelch the pause. James, who has tangled with Trump since his first term, is poised to become a national figure with him back in the presidency.

President Donald Trump has maintained his opposition to congestion pricing in New York and has spoken to Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) twice in the past week about it. Hochul wants to keep the program, which has resulted in 1 million fewer vehicles entering the congested spots in Manhattan since its start on Jan.