U.S. Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) on Thursday accused President Donald Trump of overstepping his constitutional authority following his remarks stating federal funding for the Gateway Tunnel Project is “terminated.”
While Trump did not name the Gateway Project directly during his comments this week, Kim said it was clear the $16 billion commuter rail tunnel between New Jersey and Manhattan — along with a separate New York subway project — were the targets.
“He specifically talked about projects in this region that he’s already gone after,” Kim said. “We know what he’s talking about.”
Trump’s remarks come amid the ongoing government shutdown, which has already stretched into weeks. The president called the infrastructure initiatives “Democrat projects.”
But officials on the ground say no such termination has been communicated. Construction continues, according to the Gateway Development Commission which oversees the project, but declined to comment further. One union leader whose members are working on the project tell NJ Spotlight News there are 45 days left before they run out of funding.
Kim called the move illegal and politically motivated.
“This is constitutionally dedicated funding,” Kim said. “Congress sets the national budget, not the president. This is the kind of mob-boss politics people can’t stand.”
Kim warned that without clarity or reversal from the White House, the situation could escalate quickly.
“We have some runway, but we cannot complete this project without federal funding,” Kim said. “If the president is serious about cutting it off, that would be catastrophic for our region and our economy.”
Kim also raised broader concerns about what he described as a systematic effort by the Trump administration to punish blue states and dismantle key federal programs. He said the Gateway project is just one example of what he believes is politically driven retaliation.
“This isn’t just about a tunnel,” Kim said. “It’s about punishing New Jersey and other states that don’t align with him politically.”
The senator said he is coordinating with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and other officials on potential legal options, and has called on the Department of Transportation and the White House to clarify the administration’s intent immediately.
“People deserve answers,” Kim said. “And we’re going to use every tool we have to protect this project.”
