Gov. Kathy Hochul and President Donald Trump talk congestion pricing, immigration in White House meeting

Gov. Kathy Hochul met Friday with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office for what her spokesman called "a frank, candid conversation" about topics like immigration and congestion pricing.

Spokesman Avi Small said the meeting lasted over an hour. The two discussed "New York’s key priorities including congestion pricing, immigration, infrastructure, economic development, energy, offshore wind and nuclear power," he said by email.

"Frank" and "candid," the words Small used to summarize the meeting, are diplomatic parlance for disagreement and argument. Specifics of the discussion weren't disclosed.

Small said that Hochul gave Trump, whose administration on Wednesday moved to revoke permission for congestion pricing, a booklet about the success of the program, which tolls most motorists $9 for entering Manhattan below 60th Street.

Congestion pricing has led to reduced traffic, quicker commutes among those who choose to drive, more mass transit use, and is raising money to help fund the subway, train and bus system, her office has said. Opponents say it's unfair.

Hochul has vowed to keep the tolling cameras on and is suing over the Trump administration's withdrawal. 

Trump and Hochul have spoken several times since he was inaugurated last month.

The White House couldn’t be reached for comment Saturday.

Hochul’s public schedule Friday said only that she was in Washington, D.C. for the National Governors Association White House meeting.

Hochul has hardened her tone on Trump, after weeks of a more conciliatory approach about his policies toward New York.

“I call it the Trump revenge tour, and I have to stand in its way,” she said Thursday.

Her new attitude, she said, is inspired by Rambo.

Earlier this month, Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, said Hochul ought to be removed over her immigration stance: “Gov. Hochul is an embarrassment to the position she holds,” he said on Fox News, with New York City Mayor Eric Adams next to him.

Homan opposes the state’s Green Light Law, under which immigrants qualify for driver’s licenses regardless of whether they’re in the United States legally or not. The law also prevents the Department of Motor Vehicles from sharing information with the feds about license holders’ personal details relating to immigration without a court order.

On Feb. 12, the Trump administration's Justice Department sued New York over the law.

Hochul, who supports deporting immigrants involved in serious crimes, has moved to the left on immigration.

In 2007, Hochul, as Erie County clerk, promised to summon authorities to have any immigrant arrested and detained who wasn't in the country legally and applied for a driver’s license.

“It will be a deterrent, and that’s what I’m looking for,” Hochul said then. Issuing the licenses, she said, would “give them cover.”

She later explained that stance, in part, as the product of representing her district.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.