In a striking report released on Thursday night, Sean P. Duffy, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, accused California of breaching federal regulations. The state allegedly issued a commercial driver’s license to a foreign asylum seeker, who was involved in a semi-truck accident that resulted in three fatalities earlier this week.

The report claims that Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration failed to adhere to a federal directive demanding the cessation of noncompliant licenses and the revocation of improperly issued credentials. According to Duffy, this oversight tragically led to the loss of “three innocent souls.”

Furthermore, California is accused of unlawfully upgrading the non-domiciled commercial driver’s license (CDL) of Jashanpreet Singh, an Indian national connected to the deadly crash. This action allegedly violated a federal emergency rule and compliance notice that had been issued on September 26.

WHITE HOUSE ALLEGES CALIFORNIA ISSUED LICENSE TO UNAUTHORIZED TRUCK DRIVER INVOLVED IN DEADLY DUI INCIDENT

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy addressed the media alongside House Republican leaders during a press briefing at the U.S. Capitol on October 23, 2025, discussing issues related to air traffic controller salaries and the government shutdown. (Eric Lee/Getty Images)

“My thoughts are with the families affected by this tragedy. This could have been avoided if Gavin Newsom had complied with our new regulations. California broke the law, and as a result, three people lost their lives, and two others are hospitalized. These individuals deserve justice, and there will be repercussions,” stated U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.

California issued the CDL to Singh on June 27, according to federal records. A Department of Transportation audit on Sept. 26 flagged “significant compliance failures” in the state’s licensing process, yet on Oct. 15, officials reportedly upgraded the driver’s license despite federal restrictions. 

Just six days later, on Oct. 21, the license holder was behind the wheel of a semi-truck involved in a fatal freeway crash that killed three people.