WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said he wants to suspend the federal tax on gasoline amid soaring energy prices during the United States' war with Iran.
"I think it's a great idea," Trump said in a May 11 phone interview with CBS News. "Yup, we're going to take off the gas tax for a period of time, and when gas goes down, we'll let it phase back in."
Trump did not specify how long he wants to pause the tax. The federal gas tax, which is currently 18.4 cents per gallon, funds the Highway Trust Fund, which goes toward federal highways construction and maintenance as well as public transit projects.
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Addressing reporters later in the day from the Oval Office, Trump also signaled his support. "Yeah, I'm going to reduce until the ‒" Trump said, without finishing the sentence, when asked by a reporter whether he plans to suspend the federal gas tax.
