Trump Taps Former Congressman Sean Duffy for DOT Chief
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President-elect Donald Trump said he will nominate former U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy as the head of his Department of Transportation.
“Sean will use his experience and the relationships he has built over many years in Congress to maintain and rebuild our Nation’s Infrastructure, and fulfill our Mission of ushering in The Golden Age of Travel, focusing on Safety, Efficiency, and Innovation,” Trump said in a statement Nov. 18 on his Truth Social platform. “Importantly, he will greatly elevate the Travel Experience for all Americans!”
The trucking industry quickly endorsed the choice. American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear praised Duffy's understanding of transportation issues, noting his support of "pro-trucking policies to strengthen the supply chain."
"Roads and bridges are our shop floor," Spear said. "We know Congressman Duffy understands that and the opportunity now before us to improve our transportation network by reducing congestion, investing in truck parking, enhancing highway safety and supporting the development of innovative technologies."
During his time in the House, @SeanDuffyWI was focused on issues facing our industry and supported pro-trucking policies to strengthen the supply chain and our ability to keep the nation’s goods moving safely and efficiently. He is an exceptional choice to lead USDOT, and we… — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG) November 19, 2024
The Department of Transportation has served as a focal point for President Joe Biden’s efforts to rebuild American infrastructure, funneling formula grants to state highway departments and fielding applications for new grant programs to fund everything from urban transit improvements to intercity rail lines.
Under Trump, the department will take a lead role in reshaping federal infrastructure investment to align with the priorities of the incoming president and Republican congressional leaders.
That could mean fewer bike lanes, more highway widening projects, reduced federally supported mass transit — or none at all, if Heritage Foundation policy planners prevail. Building new airports, a frequent Trump talking point from his first presidency, is likely to receive renewed attention.
RELATED: Biden Races to Get Out Infrastructure Spending
One critical decision will require delicate handling: the future of electric vehicles.
Trump criticized the EV industry during his campaign, falsely claiming that Biden was trying to ban gasoline-powered cars. Critics in Congress have lambasted the administration for pouring so much funding from the infrastructure law into building out networks of EV chargers — and for the slow pace at which those facilities have been installed.
But Trump acquired a new patron along the way: Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk, who has done more than any businessman to popularize electric vehicles, and whose personal fortunes give him billions of reasons to dissuade the new administration from completely reversing course on EVs.
RELATED: Trump Team Is Seeking to Ease Rules for Self-Driving Cars
Duffy represented Wisconsin’s 7th District in Congress for eight years after gaining fame on the reality television show “The Real World: Boston” in the late 1990s. He currently co-hosts “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business and contributes to Fox News, where he has criticized current Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Duffy is married to fellow “Real World” alumna and Fox News personality Rachel Campos-Duffy. He resigned from Congress when the couple’s ninth child was born, citing family needs.
Duffy’s selection, along with Trump’s choice of Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, adds to a growing group of Fox News personalities in the incoming administration who have used their media platforms to promote policies aligned with the president-elect’s vision.
This report was edited from the original to include comment from ATA.
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