A recent U.S. House of Representatives committee hearing turned contentious as Congressman Jerold Nadler of New York and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy accused each other of misrepresenting subway safety data.
This dramatic exchange unfolded as Nadler questioned Duffy about his criticism of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), with Duffy alleging a rise in crime within the subway system despite New York Police Department statistics showing a decline in overall subway crime.
Nadler, a senior member of the House transportation committee, confronted Duffy regarding statements he made in the past weeks that suggested a surge in assaults in the subway system. Nadler defended the subway’s safety by citing official crime data, which indicated that major crimes in New York’s subways had decreased by 3% compared to the previous year and by 8% compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
In a heated exchange, Nadler asked Duffy directly, “Why do you continue to ignore this and lie about this in your public comments?” Duffy responded defiantly, asserting that the information presented by Nadler was incorrect.
As the debate progressed, Duffy highlighted an outlier in the crime statistics, pointing to a recent spike in assaults, which he and other critics argue exemplified the dangers of the subway system. Nadler rebutted this claim, reiterating that Duffy’s interpretation misrepresented the positive overall trend of subway safety in New York City.
The intensity of the debate escalated as both men spoke over one another, with Duffy challenging Nadler’s remarks. “Why do you continue to lie about people being lit on fire in subways or pushed in front of trains?” Duffy shouted, underscoring his position that safety concerns should be taken seriously.
Duffy, who has a background in reality television, has been vocal about issues relating to the New York subway system, referencing high-profile incidents, including the tragic case of a woman who was burned alive in December. Yet, recent statistics indicate that subway crime accounts for less than 2% of total crime in New York City. Moreover, a New York Times analysis concluded the likelihood of encountering crime on the subway is minimal, comparable to the risk of being involved in a car accident during a short drive.
Critics like Danny Pearlstein, director of communications and policy for Riders Alliance, have responded to Duffy’s comments, arguing that his focus appears more aligned with political maneuvering rather than addressing the underlying issues of safety. Pearlstein suggested that Duffy’s approach utilizes subway riders as political props rather than genuinely seeking to improve their safety.
In addition to the subway safety debate, Nadler accused Duffy of misrepresenting New York City’s congestion pricing program. This toll scheme is intended to reduce traffic congestion and fund improvements to public transportation. Duffy had previously attempted to stop funding for the MTA concerning the congestion pricing initiative but faced legal challenges that the city successfully overcame.
The contentious discussions surrounding congestion pricing saw Nadler claim that Duffy disregarded proper procedures in his opposition to the plan, which had already passed federal review. On the other hand, Duffy dismissed congestion pricing as an elitist policy that disproportionately affects lower-income individuals reliant on personal vehicles.
An analysis conducted by Hunter College in 2024 revealed that car-owning households earn twice the average annual income compared to those without cars. Furthermore, a 2017 report from the Community Service Society of New York found that only a small percentage (4%) of residents from the outer boroughs of New York commute to jobs located in Manhattan, making congestion pricing a contentious measure in urban planning discussions.
As the hearing progressed, Nadler interrupted Duffy, asking, “Secretary Duffy, why do you continue to lie about New York City?” Duffy retorted by accusing Nadler of lying, prompting Nadler to firmly state, “I’m calling you a liar because you lied, continually.”
Following the hearing, Nadler took to social media, asserting that New York City and its transit system maintain a commendable level of safety. “The data shows that New York is the safest big city in America, and it has the safest big city transit system in America,” Nadler emphasized, challenging Duffy’s narrative. “Secretary Duffy knows this, and he’s lying to the public anyway. I won’t stand for it, and I’ll keep calling out their lies,” Nadler concluded.
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