On November 19, 2024, Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, announced that he intends to nominate former Wisconsin congressman and Fox News host Sean Duffy as the Secretary of Transportation.
Duffy, a former district attorney in Ashland, Wisconsin, and later a U.S. Representative for Wisconsin’s 7th congressional district, has been praised by Trump for his outstanding career and popularity in public service.
“Sean will leverage his experience and relationships built over the years in Congress to maintain and rebuild our nation’s infrastructure, usher in a golden age of travel focusing on safety, efficiency, and innovation. Importantly, he will greatly enhance the travel experience for all Americans,” Trump said in a statement.
Following the announcement, a spokesperson for Fox News released a statement saying, “Sean Duffy has provided valuable insights and analysis as a co-host of the Fox Business Network show ‘The Bottom Line.’ Duffy will be leaving Fox News today, and we sincerely wish him well on his return to Washington D.C.”
If confirmed, Duffy will oversee U.S. aviation, automobile, railway, transportation, and other transport policies. The Department of Transportation, with an annual budget of approximately $110 billion, holds substantial remaining funds from the $1 trillion infrastructure law and electric vehicle charging station projects passed by the Biden administration in 2021.
During his time in Congress, Duffy advocated for fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and rural development. Prior to joining Fox News, Duffy served as a U.S. Congressman for nearly 9 years, representing the largest district in Wisconsin.
Duffy chaired the Subcommittee on Insurance and Housing and was a member of the Financial Services Committee during his tenure. In 2019, Duffy left the House of Representatives after learning that one of his children had a heart condition.
While serving as a district attorney in Ashland, Duffy allocated resources to prosecute child sex crimes. He collaborated with law enforcement agencies to make Ashland one of the first counties in the state to investigate and prosecute child internet sex crimes.
As head of the Department of Transportation, Duffy is expected to address a range of significant transportation issues. The U.S. has seen a decrease in traffic accident fatalities this year but remains significantly higher than pre-COVID-19 levels. Duffy will face pressure to relax regulations on autonomous driving vehicles sought by Tesla and other car manufacturers.
Trump emphasized that when rebuilding America’s highways, tunnels, bridges, and airports, Duffy will prioritize excellence, capability, competitiveness, and aesthetics while ensuring that ports and dams serve our economy without compromising national security.
Duffy will also continue to strengthen oversight of Boeing. Earlier this year, a 737 MAX 9 operated by Alaska Airlines experienced a mid-air door panel detachment, exposing serious safety concerns. The Federal Aviation Administration, under the Department of Transportation, has limited the monthly production of 737 MAX planes to 38 as a result.
Trump additionally stated his intentions to reverse the emissions regulations finalized by the Biden administration earlier this year. These regulations require a 50% reduction in tailpipe emissions by 2032 based on 2026 levels and encourage automakers to produce more electric vehicles.