Duffy threatens states with funding loss after lethal Florida crash

A Florida crash that killed three folks sparked an ultimatum from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy over states’ business driver licensing guidelines. However two out of the three states named by the secretary say they’re in compliance.

Duffy’s push got here after an unlawful immigrant from India, Harjinder Singh, allegedly struck and killed three folks in a tractor-trailer whereas making an unlawful U-turn on a Florida turnpike on Aug. 12. Singh’s present business driver’s license was issued in California; he beforehand had one in Washington state, and Duffy mentioned there was a site visitors cease in New Mexico the place his rig was not taken “out of service.” 

Duffy is giving the states 30 days to observe the regulation, or threat shedding federal funding via the Motor Provider Security Help Program.

“We aren’t going to tolerate states that don’t adjust to the foundations that come from this division,” Duffy mentioned at a press convention on Tuesday. 

BLUE STATE INVESTIGATES HOW ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TRUCKER GOT LICENSE BEFORE DEADLY FLORIDA CRASH

Following the crash earlier this month, federal investigators mentioned Singh failed English proficiency and street signal exams.

California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s workplace maintains that they have been following federal regulation when Singh’s license was doled out and positioned the blame on the Trump administration.

“That is wealthy. The Trump administration permitted the federal work allow for the person who killed 3 folks — and now they’re scrambling to shift blame after getting caught. Sean’s nonsense announcement is as huge a joke because the Trump Administration itself. SAD!” a spokesperson for Newsom’s workplace instructed Fox Information Digital in a press release. 

EXPERT REVEALS HOW ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TRUCKER MAY HAVE GOTTEN COMMERCIAL LICENSE BEFORE FATAL FLORIDA CRASH

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy speaks throughout a information convention in Washington, Might 28, 2025. (AP Picture/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Homeland Safety Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin beforehand disputed Newsom’s timeline that claims he was given a piece allow beneath Trump.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE

“False. Harjinder Singh is in the USA illegally and his work authorization was rejected beneath the Trump Administration on September 14, 2020. It was later permitted beneath the Biden Administration June 9, 2021,” McLaughlin mentioned on Aug. 18 in response to Newsom’s press workplace’s X account.

Michael Coleman, spokesman for Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, of New Mexico, mentioned they’re “assured” {that a} “full evaluation of those incidents” will present that the state is following the regulation.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TRUCKER ACCUSED OF KILLING THREE PEOPLE FAILED ENGLISH, ROAD SIGN TESTS: DOT

Harjinder Singh is escorted to an airplane by Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and regulation enforcement on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in Stockton, California. (AP Picture/Benjamin Fanjoy)

“New Mexico’s high precedence is the security of its residents and guests, and we’re assured that our state legal guidelines for business driver’s licenses (CDLs) are totally compliant with federal rules,” he mentioned, including that the state requires an English check to ensure drivers know street indicators.

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“We’re conscious of latest claims relating to the enforcement of those rules and are actively searching for extra data from the related federal and state companions. Preliminary stories recommend that these claims relate to a small variety of roadside incidents over a three-month interval. It is essential to notice that these incidents might have concerned out-of-state drivers as a result of cross-country nature of our trucking business,” he continued.

The Washington Division of Licensing mentioned final week that an investigation is underway into how Singh was capable of acquire a business driver’s license within the state. Fox Information Digital reached out to Gov. Bob Ferguson’s workplace for touch upon Wednesday relating to Duffy’s announcement.

“That is about maintaining folks protected on the street. Your households, your children, your spouses, your family members, your mates,” Duffy mentioned. “All of us use the roadway, and we have to guarantee that those that are driving huge rigs — semis — can perceive the street indicators, that they’ve been well-trained.”