Trump Threatens Funding Cuts Over Trucker English Rules Enforcement/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump’s administration is threatening to cut millions in federal funding to California, Washington, and New Mexico for failing to enforce truck driver English proficiency rules. The warning follows a deadly Florida crash involving a non-English-speaking trucker. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy gave the states 30 days to comply or risk sanctions.
Trucker English Rules Quick Looks
- California, Washington, and New Mexico face multimillion-dollar funding cuts
- Threat tied to June executive order requiring English proficiency for truckers
- Deadly Florida crash involving foreign driver sparked federal investigation
- Duffy says states failed to enforce rules during inspections
- California could lose $33 million, Washington $10.5 million, New Mexico $7 million
- Governors of California and Florida trade blame over immigration and safety
- Suspect Harjinder Singh charged with vehicular homicide and immigration violations
- Case highlights conflict between federal safety standards and state license policies
- Critics call issue politicized; defense says Singh is “caught in the crosshairs”
- Federal review may set precedent for driver licensing and state compliance
Deep Look: Trump Administration Threatens State Funding Over Trucker English Rules
WASHINGTON — August 26, 2025 – The Trump administration is threatening to withhold millions of dollars in highway safety funds from California, Washington, and New Mexico, accusing the states of failing to enforce new federal rules requiring truck drivers to demonstrate English proficiency.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Tuesday that the states have 30 days to comply with the regulations or lose funding from the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP). The ultimatum follows a deadly Florida crash earlier this month, in which a trucker with limited English skills allegedly caused three deaths.
“States don’t get to pick and choose which federal safety rules to follow,” Duffy said. “As we saw with the horrific Florida crash that killed three, when states fail to enforce the law, they put the driving public in danger.”
The Florida Crash That Sparked the Crackdown
The controversy stems from a crash north of West Palm Beach, Florida, where truck driver Harjinder Singh, a native of India, attempted an illegal U-turn across a highway. His trailer was struck by a minivan, killing three passengers. Singh has been charged with vehicular homicide and faces immigration violations.
Singh is being held without bond. His public defender, Diamond R. Litty, stressed that Singh is presumed innocent and accused federal officials of politicizing the tragedy.
“Unfortunately, Mr. Singh has been caught in the crosshairs of politics,” Litty said, adding that her office would coordinate with immigration attorneys as the case proceeds.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Singh entered the U.S. illegally in 2018. Federal officials say he should never have been issued commercial driver’s licenses in Washington and California, and that New Mexico failed to take him out of service after a July inspection.
Enforcement Failures in Three States
The Department of Transportation review revealed discrepancies in how states applied Trump’s new executive order, which took effect in June:
- California conducted 34,000 inspections since June, but cited only one driver for violating the English rule, despite numerous other safety violations.
- Washington recorded more than 6,000 inspection violations, but only four drivers were pulled off the road for English deficiencies.
- New Mexico has not removed any driver for failing English standards.
Duffy argued the weak enforcement “shows states are undermining a key safety rule.”
If the states do not comply within 30 days:
- California could lose $33 million
- Washington could lose $10.5 million
- New Mexico could lose $7 million
Immigration and Politics Collide
The dispute has reignited political fights over immigration and state licensing laws. California is one of 19 states plus the District of Columbia that issue driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status. Supporters argue the policy promotes safety by ensuring drivers are trained and insured.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office defended its policies, noting that Singh once held a federal work permit under Trump’s presidency. Homeland Security officials countered, saying Singh had no legal right to remain in the U.S.
Meanwhile, Florida officials and Trump allies point to the crash as evidence of broader immigration failures. Trump himself has used the incident to bolster his tough-on-immigration narrative, framing the issue as both a safety and border security matter.
Broader Implications
The case exposes tensions between federal safety mandates and state sovereignty in licensing drivers. States with more permissive licensing policies argue they should not be penalized for accommodating immigrant populations.
Critics say the Trump administration is weaponizing the tragedy to advance immigration crackdowns. Supporters argue it highlights real gaps in public safety enforcement.
Beyond the political rhetoric, the confrontation could reshape how commercial drivers are regulated nationwide. Legal challenges from the affected states are likely, but Duffy emphasized that enforcement must be uniform across state lines.
“Drivers cross state borders every day. Inconsistent enforcement creates risk everywhere,” he said.
Outlook
The coming weeks will test whether California, Washington, and New Mexico tighten compliance or challenge Trump’s authority in court. Either outcome could set precedent for how far the federal government can go in enforcing national transportation and immigration-linked safety standards.
As the investigation continues, Singh’s case underscores the human and political stakes at the heart of the debate — three lives lost, and a policy battle that may shape U.S. trucking and immigration enforcement for years to come.
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