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President Trump Urges Governor Hochul to Fire Janno Lieber

Governor Kathy Hochul has reportedly declined a suggestion to terminate the Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in People

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a massive iron train station pillar, representing the institutional tension over public infrastructure policy.
President Donald Trump has urged Governor Kathy Hochul to remove MTA CEO Janno Lieber following disputes over the Penn Station reconstruction project. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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President Donald Trump suggested that Governor Kathy Hochul fire Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Janno Lieber. The request follows disagreements regarding the ongoing reconstruction project at Penn Station.

Why it matters

The tension stems from friction over the Penn Station reconstruction project, with the President blaming Lieber for difficulties in the planning process. While the governor has refused the suggestion, a White House source noted that the CEO could still face removal from his position.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority manages operations for transit systems across New York state, where the CEO is appointed by the governor. No specific termination figure or financial payout was confirmed as part of this request.

The players

Donald Trump

Donald Trump is the current President of the United States.

Kathy Hochul

Kathy Hochul serves as the Governor of New York and possesses the authority to appoint the head of the MTA.

Janno Lieber

Janno Lieber is the CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which oversees public transit in the New York region.

Andy Byford

Andy Byford is an executive at Amtrak who received formal correspondence from the MTA leadership in 2026.

The details

Janno Lieber sent a letter in June 2026 to Amtrak executive Andy Byford expressing grievances about planning, which Governor Hochul did not authorize. President Trump previously moved to take lead responsibility for the Penn Station overhaul away from the MTA in April 2025.

Timeline

  1. In April 2025, the President transitioned lead responsibility for the Penn Station overhaul to Amtrak.

  2. In June 2026, Janno Lieber sent a letter to Amtrak executive Andy Byford regarding the project.

  3. In October 2026, Janno Lieber commented on the suggestion that he be fired.

Market Landscape

This friction highlights the ongoing struggle for oversight regarding the Penn Station reconstruction project. It underscores the challenges of navigating complex federal-state infrastructure partnerships where leadership roles remain a point of executive leverage.

For the average New York commuter, this conflict over leadership could signal potential shifts in how infrastructure projects are prioritized or delayed. Residents may experience changes in project timelines or funding as federal and state authorities continue to negotiate control.

The takeaway

The tension serves as a reminder of how high-level political disagreements can directly influence the pace of critical urban infrastructure developments. Decisions regarding executive leadership often reflect broader shifts in the power dynamics between state and federal oversight.

Further reading

For more on influential leadership roles in the region, visit New York People.

Source note: This article includes information reported by New York Post.

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Should political leaders prioritize partisan loyalty over professional experience when appointing or retaining agency heads?