U.S. Transport Chief to Pull $160 Million from California Over Non-citizen Truck Licenses

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that he is about to make good on a threat to revoke millions in federal funds from California, saying the state is illegally issuing commercial driver’s licenses to non-citizens, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

A spokesperson for the California DMV said that the Trump administration “has no legitimate basis” to withhold federal highway transportation funds. (Photo: California Department of Vehicles Facebook)

In an appearance on Fox News Channel’s Sunday Morning Futures, Duffy said Gov. Gavin Newsom has refused to comply with Department of Transportation rules requiring the state to stop issuing such licenses and review those already granted.

“So, one, I’m about to pull $160 million from California,” Duffy said. “And as we pull more money, we also have the option of pulling California’s ability to issue commercial driver’s licenses.”

In an appearance on Fox News Channel’s Sunday Morning Futures, Duffy said Gov. Gavin Newsom has refused to comply with Department of Transportation rules requiring the state to stop issuing such licenses and review those already granted.

“So, one, I’m about to pull $160 million from California,” Duffy said. “And as we pull more money, we also have the option of pulling California’s ability to issue commercial driver’s licenses.”

Eva Spiegel, a spokesperson for the California Department of Motor Vehicles, said the Trump administration “has no legitimate basis” to withhold federal highway transportation funds.

“The federal government previously allowed commercial driver’s licenses for asylum seekers and refugees and on Sept. 26 announced emergency regulations to cease this practice that went into effect on Sept. 29. California is in compliance with these regulations and will remain in compliance with federal law,” Spiegel said via email.