Transportation Secretary to Pull $160 Million From California Over Noncitizen Truck Licenses

‘We also have the option of pulling California’s ability to issue commercial driver’s licenses,’ Sean Duffy said.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks to reporters outside the White House on May 6, 2025. Kent Nishimura/Reuters

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Oct. 26 that he would pull $160 million in federal funds from California, citing Gov. Gavin Newsom’s refusal to halt issuance of commercial driver’s licenses to noncitizens.

In an interview with Fox News, Duffy said that Newsom has refused to comply with the Transportation Department’s (DOT’s) emergency rules requiring the state to stop issuing commercial driver’s licenses to non-domiciled drivers and to review those already granted to ensure they were issued lawfully.