President Donald Trump’s administration just delivered a major financial blow to California Governor Gavin Newsom, threatening to pull $160 million in federal highway funds — and possibly strip California of its ability to issue commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) — over what officials are calling “dangerous and illegal licensing practices.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made the announcement Sunday on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, blasting Newsom for “putting illegal immigrants behind the wheel of 18-wheelers” and endangering American lives.
“California has unlawfully issued more than 60,000 commercial licenses to people who entered this country illegally,” Duffy said. “We’re pulling their funding — and if they don’t stop, we’ll pull their right to issue licenses altogether.”
🚛 Illegal Licensing Scandal Shocks the Nation
The crackdown follows several deadly crashes involving illegal immigrant truck drivers.
In Florida, 28-year-old Harjinder Singh, a trucker from Stockton, California — reportedly in the country illegally — caused a crash that killed three innocent people.
Another illegal driver, 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh, caused a fiery multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 10 in California that left three more dead and several injured.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), under President Trump’s direction, launched a nationwide safety audit and uncovered “systemic violations across several states — with California being the worst offender.”
💥 Trump’s DOT Launches Emergency Crackdown
Last month, the Department of Transportation issued emergency rules ordering all state DMVs to pause issuing CDLs to non-citizens until they meet the new federal identity and work-verification standards.
But Newsom’s California DMV ignored the order, continuing to issue licenses to foreign nationals.
Duffy warned that if California doesn’t comply within 30 days, the federal government will withhold $160 million in highway funding.
“We’ve already cut $40 million because California refuses to enforce our English-language safety requirements,” Duffy said.
⚖️ Red States Fight Back: “Enough Is Enough”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed a lawsuit against both California and Washington, accusing them of endangering public safety and violating federal law.
“Gavin Newsom’s sanctuary state policies are killing Americans,” Uthmeier said. “We’re taking him to the Supreme Court to hold him accountable.”
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin added, “Three innocent Americans are dead because of open-border policies that let illegal aliens drive 18-wheelers. President Trump and Secretary Noem are making our roads safe again.”
Meanwhile, Newsom’s office lashed out on social media, mocking Duffy:
“Hell of a job, @SecDuffy. Can’t wait to see what you do with NASA.”
🇺🇸 Republicans Push to Protect America’s Roads
Republicans in Congress are rallying behind new legislation called the SAFE Drivers Act, requiring all truck drivers to pass a standardized English test before receiving a CDL.
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) said, “If you can’t read English road signs, you shouldn’t be behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler in America. Period.”
Duffy closed by saying,
“President Trump has been crystal clear — America’s highways belong to American citizens. We’re done letting radical sanctuary states put political correctness above public safety.”
📰 Bottom Line
Under President Donald Trump, Washington is taking back control from reckless blue-state leaders who put ideology before safety.
As Newsom’s political ambitions heat up, his policies are being exposed — and Trump’s administration isn’t backing down.