President Trump criticized New York City's pied-a-terre tax after a Staten Island judge temporarily blocked its rollout, calling the levy a dangerous political experiment and saying his administration was examining whether the federal government has any legal authority to stop it. The tax, enacted through New York's state budget, is expected to raise about $500 million annually through a surcharge on non-primary residences. Through fiscal 2028, houses worth $5 million to $15 million face a 0.8% surcharge, rising to 1.3% for properties above $25 million. Condominiums and co-ops face higher temporary rates because city assessments understate market values. The city sent notices to about 17,000 homeowners and later extended the appeals deadline to Sept. 18 after complaints that some primary residences may have been misidentified. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said City Hall would vigorously defend the policy and argued it would help fund safer streets and stronger schools. He has framed the measure as part of his pledge to tax the rich. The tax has also drawn criticism from business figures including Ken Griffin, Bill Ackman and Kevin O'Leary, while Citadel warned it could reconsider a $6 billion Park Avenue project. The dispute adds to a broader political clash between Trump and Mamdani that has also touched on federal funding, immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies.