Transportation Secretary says driver in recent coverage about denied CDLs in California had “crocodile tears”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy accused a truck driver of “crocodile tears” in recent news coverage about his CDL renewal being denied.
In the news coverage regarding a new rule preventing truck drivers who are not citizens or permanent residents, but are otherwise in the country legally, from renewing their CDLs under new rules issued by the FMCSA, a truck driver spoke to reporters in Hindi. During that interview, the driver described the hardships that not being able to renew his CDL would bring upon him and his family back in India. Both Secretary Duffy and the Department of Transportation itself have commented on that specific driver.
Crocodile tears for a man who has spent a decade in our country but couldn’t be bothered to learn our language.
Our new rules will keep you and your family SAFE on America’s roads! https://t.co/alMR2VhmnA— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) October 14, 2025
“Crocodile tears for a man who has spent a decade in our country but couldn’t be bothered to learn our language,” Duffy wrote in a post on X. “Our new rules will keep you and your family SAFE on America’s roads!”
“This driver has been in the U.S. for TEN YEARS and does not know enough English to qualify for a trucking license,” the DOT wrote. “This is exactly why @SecDuffy ordered @FMCSA to crack down on English proficiency standards. Do you want to drive on American roads? Being able to understand English is the BARE MINIMUM.”
This driver has been in the U.S. for TEN YEARS and does not know enough English to qualify for a trucking license.
This is exactly why @SecDuffy ordered @FMCSA to crack down on English proficiency standards.
Do you want to drive on American roads? Being able to understand… https://t.co/YJvxNGbrzh— USDOT Rapid Response (@USDOTRapid) October 14, 2025
Earlier this month, Senator Cynthia Lummis introduced a bill intended to codify the recent Executive Order requiring CDL drivers to demonstrate English Proficiency. This bill would serve as corresponding legislation to a House version of the bill, Connor’s Law, introduced by Representative Dave Taylor earlier in the year.