New USDOT boss promises to prioritize practical solutions over ‘far-left agendas’

This week, newly-sworn in U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a statement indicating a major policy shift for the American transportation industry, promising to “rescind woke policies” and to advance economic development.

Duffy was sworn into office on January 28, 2025, as the 20th Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT).

On January 29, Duffy issued a sweeping statement pointing towards radical changes for USDOT from the policies promoted by the Biden Administration and former USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Duffy promised to “rescind woke policies, roll back burdensome and costly regulations, restore economic growth, and ensure that all USDOT policies align with the [Trump] Administration’s priorities.”

Duffy issued the following three Memorandums as part of his first actions as USDOT head:

1. Rescinding Biden-Harris Administration’s “Woke” Policies — Directs Secretarial Officers and Heads of Operating Administrations to identify and eliminate all Biden-era programs, policies, activities, rules, and orders that promote climate change activism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, racial equity, gender identity policies, environmental justice, and other partisan objectives.
2. Lowering Costs Through Smarter Policies, Not Political Ideologies — Ensures all USDOT policies, grants, loans, and actions are based on sound economic principles, positive cost-benefit analyses, and pro-economic growth priorities.
3. Rescinding Greenhouse Gas Measurement Rule — The Secretary approved submission of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to rescind the Biden-Harris Administration’s rule requiring state transportation departments to measure and establish declining targets for carbon dioxide emissions on federally supported highways. 

“Today’s actions mark an important step in restoring commonsense governance and merit-based policies at USDOT. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are focused on eliminating excessive regulations that have hindered economic growth, increased costs for American families, and prioritized far-left agendas over practical solutions,” said Duffy. “The American people deserve an efficient, safe, and pro-growth transportation system based on sound decision-making, not political ideologies. These actions will help us deliver on that promise.” 

Duffy was strongly endorsed during the confirmation process by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) for his “previous support for small-business truckers.”

“OOIDA and the 150,000 small business truckers we represent congratulate Secretary Sean Duffy on his confirmation to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation. We look forward to continue working with him in advancing the priorities of small business truckers across America, including expanding truck parking, fighting freight fraud, and rolling back burdensome, unnecessary regulations,” said OOIDA President Todd Spencer.