The Department of Transportation just made a bold move to protect American drivers and uphold the rule of law. Secretary Sean Duffy announced the federal government is withholding over $40 million from California because the state refuses to follow English language rules for commercial truck drivers. This decision is not only justified—it is long overdue.
At the heart of the issue is a simple but critical requirement: truck drivers must be able to read and understand English well enough to read road signs and talk to law enforcement. This federal rule isn’t new. It’s been in place for years because it protects everyone on the road. If a trucker can’t read a warning sign or talk to a police officer during an emergency, lives are at risk. That’s just common sense.
But California, led by Governor Gavin Newsom, has chosen to ignore this rule. According to a recent audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, California is the only state in the nation that flat-out refuses to make sure its commercial drivers meet the English requirement. Other states may have had smaller issues, but they are working to fix them. California, on the other hand, is digging in its heels.
This isn’t just about paperwork. It’s about public safety. In August, a tragic crash in Florida took three innocent lives. The driver was in the country illegally and had gotten his commercial license in California—even though he couldn’t meet the English standards. That accident brought national attention to the problem. How many more lives must be lost before California does the right thing?
Secretary Duffy gave fair warning. Back in the summer, he told states to get in line with federal rules or face the consequences. California refused. So now, the Department of Transportation is taking action by cutting off $40 million in funding that would have gone to traffic enforcement, safety checks, and public education. That’s money that could have helped officers do their jobs and keep roads safe. But instead of following the law, Governor Newsom chose politics over safety.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about punishing law enforcement. The Trump administration supports our police officers and the work they do every day. Secretary Duffy made it clear that the funding is being withheld only because the state government refuses to enforce the law. If California gets back in compliance, the money can flow again.
The path forward is simple. California must start checking English skills during roadside inspections, like every other state. If a driver can’t meet the standard, they must be taken off the road. That’s not discrimination. That’s just making sure every driver can safely read a stop sign, understand a detour, or communicate with a state trooper.
This is a clear example of federalism working as the Founders intended. The federal government sets common-sense standards to protect citizens. States have the freedom to manage their own affairs—but not the freedom to ignore federal law when public safety is on the line. When a state like California pushes back against lawful standards, it’s right for the federal government to step in.
Our Constitution was built on the idea of ordered liberty. That means freedom and safety working hand in hand. It doesn’t mean states can put lives at risk just to score political points. The Trump administration is doing what it must: enforcing the law, protecting the public, and standing up for common sense.
California has a choice to make. It can either follow the law and protect its citizens—or keep playing dangerous games with people’s lives. The Constitution is clear. The law is clear. And now, the consequences are too.
