Trump choses Sean Duffy as transportation secretary amid $110 bn DOT mission

Former Wisconsin Representative and Fox Business News host Sean Duffy has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the next U.S. Transportation Secretary. If confirmed, Duffy will manage the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) $110 billion annual budget, including funds from the Biden administration’s $1 trillion infrastructure law. His role will shape aviation, automotive, rail, and transit policies crucial to America’s economy and mobility.

“I’m eager to help usher in a new golden age of transportation,” Duffy shared on social media, expressing optimism about leading major infrastructure projects. The DOT’s portfolio includes overseeing the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and tackling the nation’s traffic safety issues, as U.S. road fatalities remain alarmingly high. Despite recent reductions, traffic deaths in 2024 are still significantly above pre-pandemic levels, posing a critical challenge for the incoming secretary.

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Trump’s administration aims to roll back stringent vehicle emissions standards set under President Biden, which require a 50% reduction in tailpipe emissions by 2032. The rollback could impact automakers’ EV production targets and reshape the nation’s environmental policies. Duffy’s stance on emissions and EV adoption will be closely scrutinised as he balances environmental priorities with economic growth.

Duffy’s tenure will also address pressing aviation safety concerns. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which operates under the DOT, continues to enhance oversight of Boeing after safety failures, including a midair incident involving a 737 MAX earlier this year. Decisions on airline passenger rights and potential approval of new airline joint ventures will also fall under Duffy’s purview, as the DOT navigates complex industry demands.

President-elect Trump highlighted Duffy’s mission to emphasise “excellence, competence, competitiveness, and beauty” in rebuilding America’s infrastructure. The vision includes modernising highways, tunnels, bridges, and airports while ensuring ports and dams bolster economic growth without compromising national security.