Duffy Blasts NYC Subway Decay Under Hochul’s Watch

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sharply criticized New York City’s subway system accusing Governor Kathy Hochul of failing on safety and homelessness. Speaking Saturday he painted a dire picture of a transit network plagued by neglect. The Trump administration official’s remarks escalate pressure on state leaders to act.

Duffy pointed to rising crime and visible homelessness as proof of mismanagement. Subway assaults have climbed in recent years alarming riders and workers alike. He argued Hochul’s policies let vulnerable people languish without solutions.

Hochul a Democrat has touted investments in subway upgrades since taking office. Yet Duffy dismissed these as inadequate given persistent rider complaints. He called for tougher enforcement and sweeps to clear encampments from stations.

The critique aligns with Trump’s law-and-order focus in his second term. Duffy a former prosecutor leaned on that ethos to demand accountability. His words echo conservative frustration with urban governance in blue states.

Riders report mixed experiences with safety varying by line and time of day. Homelessness remains a flashpoint as outreach struggles to keep pace with need. Duffy’s attack risks oversimplifying a knotty social challenge experts say.

Hochul’s team fired back citing federal funding cuts under Trump as a root issue. They argue his administration starves cities of resources then blames local leaders. The spat reflects broader partisan divides over public transit’s role.

New York’s subway moves millions daily making its woes a national talking point. Duffy vowed to press the issue tying it to Trump’s infrastructure agenda. Any federal push could hinge on cooperation with resistant state officials.

For now riders face the same old delays and dangers Duffy decried. Hochul must weigh political heat against practical fixes in response. The feud tees up a test of wills between Trump’s cabinet and Democratic strongholds.