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President Donald Trump on Thursday formally kicked off an administration initiative designed to fast-track navy veterans into trucking jobs whereas eradicating unlawful immigrant industrial drivers from America’s roadways, arguing the hassle will enhance freeway security and create new employment alternatives for former service members.
Talking on the White Home alongside Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and trucking business leaders, Trump promoted the “Freedom Haulers Initiative,” which streamlines the industrial driver’s license (CDL) course of for veterans with heavy automobile expertise gained throughout navy service.
“As we speak, we’re taking motion to get unlawful alien truck drivers off the American roadways and change them with proud American veterans,” Trump stated. “It is about time.”
TRUMP TAPS VETERANS TO FIX ILLEGAL ALIEN TRUCKING PROBLEM PLAGUING US ROADWAYS
President Donald Trump speaks throughout an occasion selling the Freedom Haulers Initiative on the White Home, alongside Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, left, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, on July 30, 2026. (Peter D’Abrosca/Fox Information Digital)
Beneath the initiative, certified veterans with heavy-vehicle expertise gained throughout navy service can apply to waive the CDL road-skills take a look at, permitting them to keep away from duplicating coaching they obtained within the navy. Sure veterans in collaborating states can also qualify for a waiver of the written data take a look at. Veterans with out navy truck-driving expertise might be eligible for expedited coaching that administration officers stated might be accomplished in a number of weeks.
Trump stated 34 states have joined or are working to implement the Even Alternate Program, together with Indiana, Wyoming, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida and Maryland, and known as on the remaining states to take part.
The president paired the promotion along with his administration’s ongoing crackdown on industrial drivers who don’t meet federal English-language necessities or who have been issued licenses whereas within the nation illegally.
OUT OF CONTROL, UNQUALIFIED ILLEGAL ALIEN TRUCKERS ENDANGERING KIDS ON US ROADS, INSIDER WARNS: ‘JUST MADNESS’
Veterans, trucking business representatives and administration officers attend a White Home occasion saying the Trump administration’s Freedom Haulers Initiative. (Peter D’Abrosca/Fox Information Digital)
Trump stated the administration has eliminated greater than 24,000 non-English-speaking industrial drivers from behind the wheel and labored with states to cancel greater than 28,000 industrial driver’s licenses he stated have been unlawfully issued to unlawful immigrants. He additionally pointed to a number of deadly crashes allegedly involving unlawful immigrants whereas arguing for the coverage change.
Duffy stated the initiative eliminates pointless boundaries for veterans transitioning into civilian careers whereas prioritizing freeway security.
“These are great-paying jobs. They’re wherever from $80,000 to $100,000-plus a yr,” Duffy stated. “…illegals are out. American patriots are in.”
ILLEGAL TRUCKER CASES FUEL GOP PUSH TO CRACK DOWN ON CDL MILLS AS DEMS LARGELY SILENT
President Donald Trump delivers remarks throughout a White Home occasion saying the Freedom Haulers Initiative alongside Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. (Peter D’Abrosca/Fox Information Digital)
Collins stated the Division of Veterans Affairs will even increase entry to CDL coaching by permitting eligible veterans to make use of GI Invoice advantages and by accelerating enrollment in current coaching applications.
“Let’s put veterans within the seats, making jobs safer and higher for all People,” Collins stated, noting that roughly one in 10 truck drivers nationwide already are veterans.
Werner Enterprises President Nathan Meisgeier introduced his firm will rent 1,400 veterans over the following yr as a part of the Freedom Haulers Initiative, calling navy veterans a pure match for the trucking business.
“This administration’s Freedom Haulers marketing campaign could have a direct and highly effective impression on our potential to carry much more veterans into our workforce,” Meisgeier stated.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks as President Donald Trump listens throughout a White Home occasion saying the Freedom Haulers Initiative, which goals to increase trucking alternatives for navy veterans. (Peter D’Abrosca/Fox Information Digital)
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Military veteran Ricky Washington, who transitioned into industrial trucking after serving for 3 a long time within the Military and Military Nationwide Guard, stated the career affords former service members one other alternative to serve the nation.
“The trucking business is greater than only a sector of our economic system — it is the spine of our commerce,” Washington stated. “It’s a place the place service members, veterans [and] navy spouses can discover a objective, a group and a option to proceed preserving our nice nation shifting ahead.”
