US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Criticizes NYC Subway, Pressures Governor Hochul for Immediate Action

On March 22, 2025, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made headlines during a press conference in Morris County, New Jersey, where he sharply criticized New York City’s subway system. As a key figure in the Trump administration, Duffy oversees federal transportation policies and has been vocal about the need for significant improvements in public transit systems across the country. His latest remarks, however, were particularly pointed, targeting Governor Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for what he described as a failure to address critical safety and homelessness issues plaguing the subway.

Duffy didn’t mince words during the press conference. “If you want people to take the train, make it safe, make it clean, make it beautiful, make it wonderful,” he stated, emphasizing the need for immediate action. He went on to claim that Governor Hochul could resolve these issues “in hours” but has chosen not to, suggesting a lack of political will to prioritize the subway’s condition.

The NYC subway system, which serves millions of commuters daily, has long been a topic of debate, with concerns over safety, cleanliness, and the growing presence of unhoused individuals in stations and trains. Duffy’s criticism comes at a time when the MTA relies heavily on federal support, receiving up to $2.5 billion annually from the federal government. This financial dependency underscores the significance of the federal government’s role in shaping the transit system’s future.

The Trump administration has been increasingly critical of New York’s handling of its public transit, with Duffy’s remarks reflecting broader political tensions between the federal government and state leadership. Governor Hochul, who has faced mounting pressure to address these issues, has yet to respond publicly to Duffy’s comments.

Duffy’s critique also highlights the human impact of the subway’s challenges. For many New Yorkers, the subway is not just a mode of transportation but a lifeline connecting them to work, school, and essential services. When safety and cleanliness are compromised, it affects the daily lives of countless individuals, particularly those who rely on public transit as their primary means of getting around.

The press conference in Morris County served as a platform for Duffy to amplify his message, but it also raised questions about the future of federal-state collaboration on transit issues. With the MTA’s reliance on federal funding, the stakes are high for both sides to find common ground and work toward solutions that benefit the millions of commuters who depend on the subway system.

As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the need for action is urgent. Whether it’s through increased funding, policy changes, or collaborative efforts, the goal remains the same—to create a subway system that is safe, clean, and reliable for all New Yorkers. Duffy’s remarks may have been critical, but they also serve as a call to action for leaders at every level to prioritize the needs of the people who rely on public transit every day.

In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Governor Hochul and the MTA to see how they respond to this federal pressure and whether meaningful steps will be taken to address the challenges facing the NYC subway system. For now, the conversation sparked by Sean Duffy’s comments is a reminder of the importance of investing in public transit and ensuring it meets the needs of the communities it serves.