An embarrassing disclosure by federal lawyers revealed the weaknesses in the government’s bid to end the New York toll program. It could mark a turning point in the case.

President Donald Trump has made clear that ending congestion pricing is one of his policy priorities. When Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the federal government would revoke its approval of the tolls charging drivers a base fare of $9 to travel south of 60th Street in Manhattan, Trump declared “ LONG LIVE THE KING !”