Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has followed through on his earlier warning to punish California after a tragic crash involving a migrant truck driver. On Sunday, he confirmed that his department is moving forward with a plan to take away $160 million in federal funding from the state. He also repeated a second warning that California could lose its right to issue commercial driver’s licenses altogether.
Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Duffy said, “I’m about to pull $160 million from California, and as we pull more money, we also have the option of taking away California’s ability to issue commercial driver’s licenses.” He accused Governor Gavin Newsom of putting undocumented immigrants ahead of the safety of his own citizens, saying, “Gavin Newsom cares more about illegals getting commercial driver’s licenses than he does about the people of his own state and the safety of Americans.”
The statement came after Jashanpreet Singh, a 21-year-old undocumented immigrant from India who worked as a semitruck driver, was arrested for allegedly causing a deadly highway crash in southern California. The accident killed three people and left four others injured. The case quickly drew attention from the Trump administration, which has been carrying out mass deportation efforts nationwide.
Earlier this month, Duffy had already blocked $40 million in federal transportation funds from California, accusing the state of ignoring safety standards and prioritizing non-citizens in its licensing programs. On Sunday, he confirmed that the additional $160 million cut would now move forward.
Duffy also blasted Governor Newsom’s leadership, calling his handling of transportation and immigration issues “shameful.” He added, “It’s shameful. He’s been lying about what he’s been doing. Under President Trump’s administration, we’re going to fight tooth and nail to make sure states like California are held accountable.”
A new report from the U.S. Department of Transportation, released Friday, placed direct blame on Governor Newsom’s administration for the crash. The report also gave California a strict deadline to undergo a federal audit of how it issues commercial driver’s licenses. Federal officials say that depending on the audit’s findings, California could face even harsher penalties, including losing its authority to license commercial drivers altogether.
