Sean Duffy is considering revoking California’s authority to issue commercial driver’s licenses and cutting off $160 million in federal funding following a tragic highway accident reportedly involving an undocumented immigrant.
The Transportation Secretary expressed frustration with Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of enabling undocumented immigrants to obtain licenses, and hinted at impending punitive measures.
“I’m prepared to withdraw $160 million from California. As we consider further actions, we also have the option to revoke California’s power to issue commercial driver’s licenses,” Duffy stated during an interview with Fox Business on Sunday.
This potential sanction follows Newsom’s alleged non-compliance with a directive issued by Duffy on September 26, which demanded changes to the licensing process within 30 days.
Duffy criticized Newsom, claiming, “He prioritizes granting CDLs to undocumented individuals over the welfare of his state’s residents.”
During the discussion, Duffy referenced a Department of Transportation report concerning a licensed undocumented immigrant accused of causing a fatal crash by colliding with stationary traffic earlier this week.
He said that Newsom’s attitude toward requests for review had been completely ignored.
‘Gavin Newsom has thumbed his nose at us, he has refused to comply with the rules that have come from DOT which is: stop issuing these licenses and go back and review all the licenses that you have issued and make sure its been done legally,’ Duffy said.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is threatening take $160million in federal funding away from Gavin Newsom over California awarding commercial driver’s licenses to migrants
The secretary said he was fed up with Newsom’s dismissive attitude toward the Trump administration over the licenses and had plans to penalize him
The Daily Mail has reached out to a spokesperson for Governor Newsom for comment.
Newsom previously claimed that Duffy is trying to play politics over the incident.
‘This is a tragic situation and as with every tragedy over the last ten months, Secretary [Kristi] Noem has ordered Secretary Duffy to look for every opportunity to manipulate the facts to score cheap political points, but the FEDERAL government needs to look within before they cast blame outside.’
He instead blamed the federal government for having ‘approved and renewed this individual’s FEDERAL employment authorization multiple times – which allowed him to obtain a commercial driver’s license in accordance with FEDERAL law.’
However, Newsom did spend part of his Sunday looking to take shots at the transportation secretary.
The governor responded to a report of staffing shortages at Southern California airports due to the government shutdown in Washington.
‘Hell of a job, Secretary Duffy. Can’t wait to see what you do with NASA,’ Newsom’s press office wrote.
A DOT audit revealed that one in four CDLs were ‘issued improperly’ and demanded California pause their program as a response to the incident earlier this week.
Duffy was discussing the DOT’s report on licensed illegal immigrant Jashanpreet Singh (pictured), who killed three people when he slammed his truck into traffic earlier this week
One of the cars burst into a fireball following the impact, which sent debris flying
Police have identified the driver in Tuesday’s tragedy as 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh from Yuba City, California.
He was arrested at the scene for being under the influence of drugs and vehicular manslaughter, according to KTLA.
Three people, including a Pomona High School basketball coach and his wife, died.
Four others were taken to local hospitals to be treated for their injuries.
Singh is an undocumented immigrant from India who was caught and released at the California border in 2022.
ICE placed a detainer request on Singh, which would allow the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s office to hold him passed the normal release time.
The suspect has been booked into West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga to await charges.
The fight between Duffy and Newsom is just the latest between the liberal California governor and the Trump administration, as Newsom admitted Sunday morning he has his aims on Donald Trump’s job.
It comes as Newsom admitted early Sunday that he has ambitions of running for president
When asked if he was seriously considering a campaign for the White House, Newsom said: ‘Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise. I’d just be lying. And I can’t do that.’
It’s the clearest indication thus far that the firebrand Democrat, and staunch political enemy of the Trump administration, has his eyes on the Oval Office in 2028.
Newsom spoke to CBS News Sunday Morning about his ambitions, but continued to shy away from fully committing himself to the liberal ticket for the next election.
The governor is no stranger to the political spotlight – and has used his voice to heavily critique Trump since his inauguration earlier this year.
Recently, Newsom’s social media team has desperately tried to troll the president by mimicking his online style.
