October 16, 2025 – Washington, D.C.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took to social media on Tuesday to criticize California’s refusal to enforce federal English language requirements for commercial truck drivers. In a post that quickly went viral, Duffy accused California Governor Gavin Newsom of “putting illegals first,” adding fuel to a growing national debate over language policies and immigration.
“California is the ONLY STATE that has REFUSED to enforce English language mandates,” Duffy posted on X (formerly Twitter), alongside a clip from his appearance on Fox Business, where he emphasized the state’s non-compliance with federal transportation rules.
Federal law requires that commercial drivers operating in the U.S. must be able to understand and converse in English sufficiently to communicate with the public and respond to official inquiries. However, California has reportedly declined to actively enforce this requirement, raising concerns about road safety and legal accountability.
Critics argue that the state’s position could endanger public safety and undermine national standards. Supporters of California’s policy, however, claim it helps address a critical shortage of truck drivers and reflects the diverse workforce in the state’s logistics sector.
The debate is intensifying as the country faces supply chain pressures and labor shortages in key transportation roles. Duffy’s comments suggest the federal government may take further action against California if the state continues to defy federal regulations.
The California Governor’s office has yet to respond to the accusations as of Wednesday morning.