Trump Team Defunds California

California’s liberal government is facing a massive financial penalty after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the state has been illegally handing out commercial driver’s licenses to noncitizens — a direct violation of federal law.

Appearing on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, Duffy said the Department of Transportation is preparing to yank $160 million in federal funding from California and could even revoke the state’s right to issue CDLs altogether.

“I’m about to pull $160 million from California,” Duffy warned. “If Governor Newsom continues to ignore the law, we’ll strip their authority to issue licenses entirely.”

California Defies Federal Law Under Newsom’s Watch

The warning comes after Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration refused to comply with new federal safety rules requiring states to verify each CDL applicant’s immigration status through a federal database.

These rules were strengthened following three deadly crashes involving immigrant truck drivers who were in the U.S. illegally. Now, only a limited group of legal visa holders are eligible for CDLs — and only after strict status verification.

“California has ignored those warnings,” Duffy said. “We now have an estimated 60,000 people driving trucks, buses, and fuel tankers who should never have been licensed.”

Deadly Crashes Spark Nationwide Investigation

The Department of Transportation’s crackdown began after a tragic crash in Florida caused by an illegal immigrant truck driver killed three people.

A national audit soon uncovered that California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington had issued commercial licenses improperly.

In California alone, one in four licenses reviewed were issued in violation of federal rules — including some drivers whose work permits had expired years earlier.

Duffy gave California 30 days to comply or lose critical funding. When the state refused, he began cutting funds, starting with $40 million in penalties earlier this month for failing to enforce English language requirements for truckers.

Newsom Shrugs as Safety and Sovereignty Take a Back Seat

Gov. Newsom’s office dismissed the penalties, claiming that California’s CDL holders have lower crash rates than other states. But critics say the argument misses the point — safety isn’t the issue; lawbreaking is.

“California has chosen to ignore the law,” Duffy said. “We’ve issued warnings. Now we’re cutting off their money. Enough is enough.”

Conservatives argue that California continues to put illegal immigrants first — even if it means jeopardizing public safety and thumbing its nose at federal law.

Trump-Era Reforms Take Center Stage

The English-language rule and new verification standards stem from one of President Donald Trump’s executive orders, designed to protect American roads and restore accountability.

Federal investigators say California’s failures show why Trump’s reforms are still urgently needed — especially as blue states openly defy immigration law under the Biden administration.

Duffy emphasized that the issue isn’t about politics but public safety, fairness, and national security.

“If you’re in the country legally and you follow the law, you’re welcome to apply. But California is letting tens of thousands of people drive who shouldn’t even be here,” he said.

California Faces the Consequences

With Duffy ready to revoke $160 million more, California’s trucking industry could face major disruptions — all because the state refuses to follow federal law.

As one transportation analyst put it, “This isn’t about money. It’s about control. Washington is finally reminding California that the law applies to them too.”

For millions of Americans frustrated by California’s sanctuary policies, the message from the Trump camp is clear:

If liberal leaders won’t follow the law, they’ll pay the price.