Newsom has something new to cry about.
President Donald Trump’s administration has just delivered a major blow to California Governor Gavin Newsom, cutting off $40 million in federal funding after the state failed to enforce English-language safety rules for commercial truck drivers.
The announcement came Wednesday from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who said California is the only state in America refusing to ensure truckers can read road signs and communicate with law enforcement — a violation of federal safety standards and a direct threat to public safety.
“California is the only state that refuses to make sure big rig drivers can read our road signs or talk to police,” Duffy said. “This is a basic safety issue that affects every family on America’s roads.”
🚨 Trump Team Draws Line: No Federal Money for Lawless States
The decision comes after a federal probe launched in response to a fatal Florida crash caused by a foreign truck driver who made an illegal U-turn, resulting in the deaths of three Americans.
Officials later learned the driver had a California commercial license, even though he failed an English proficiency test — a rule that has existed for years and was reinforced under President Trump’s executive order in June.
Duffy said the investigation revealed a shocking pattern of negligence:
- 34,000 inspections were conducted in California since the new rules took effect.
- Only one driver was cited for failing to meet the English standard.
- 23 drivers caught violating the rule in other states were still allowed to drive freely in California.
“These aren’t just numbers — they represent lives at risk,” Duffy said. “When a state defies federal law, it endangers every family traveling on America’s highways.”
💥 Newsom Pushes Back — But the Numbers Don’t Lie
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office lashed out within hours of Duffy’s announcement, claiming the move was politically motivated.
His spokesperson, Diana Crofts-Pelayo, argued that California truckers have a lower crash rate than the national average — but federal officials weren’t buying it.
“Facts are facts,” Duffy responded. “California ignored federal law, failed inspections, and put ideology over safety. President Trump made it clear: we will not fund states that break the rules and put Americans in danger.”
⚠️ The Deadly Crash That Sparked a Political Firestorm
The crisis began on August 12, when truck driver Harjinder Singh, a foreign national from India, made an illegal U-turn near West Palm Beach, Florida. His semi-truck blocked a highway, and a family in a minivan smashed into his trailer — killing three people instantly.
Florida Highway Patrol officials later confirmed that Singh failed an English-language test and should never have been behind the wheel. He’s now facing vehicular homicide and immigration charges, and being held without bond.
Investigators say California issued Singh his commercial license, despite his immigration status and poor communication skills. Duffy said it was a “catastrophic failure” that could have been prevented if California had followed the law.
🔥 Trump’s Transportation Crackdown Expands
The Department of Transportation announced that California’s $40 million will remain frozen until the state enforces Trump’s English-language mandate and ensures that inspectors test truckers for English proficiency during roadside checks.
Duffy warned the state could lose an additional $160 million in federal transportation money if Newsom’s administration continues to issue commercial licenses without proper background checks.
“Governor Newsom’s radical policies have turned California into a sanctuary for unsafe drivers,” Duffy said. “President Trump is standing up for the rule of law, for safety, and for American families.”
🇺🇸 Trump Administration: Safety and Accountability Come First
The Trump administration’s action sends a powerful message — Washington will no longer bankroll states that prioritize politics over safety.
While Newsom continues to play defense, Duffy’s move has been widely praised among trucker groups, highway safety advocates, and conservative voters tired of California’s “sanctuary state” agenda.
“Every American deserves to drive on safe roads,” Duffy said. “If California refuses to do its job, President Trump will.”
