President-elect Donald Trump announced on Monday his intention to nominate Sean Duffy, a former Wisconsin congressman and Fox Business News host, as the next U.S. transportation secretary. If confirmed, Duffy will oversee a USD 110 billion annual budget and manage policies across aviation, automotive, rail, transit, and other transportation sectors, including significant funds allocated under the Biden administration’s 2021 USD 1 trillion infrastructure law.
Duffy expressed his enthusiasm on social media, writing, “I’m eager to help usher in a new golden age of transportation.” Trump highlighted Duffy’s commitment to “excellence, competence, competitiveness, and beauty” in revitalising America’s infrastructure, including highways, bridges, airports, and ports, while ensuring economic vitality and national security.
Among Duffy’s priorities will be reversing Biden-era vehicle emissions regulations, which Trump has criticised as overly stringent. The rules, finalised earlier this year, aim to cut tailpipe emissions by 50% from 2026 levels by 2032 and encourage automakers to produce more electric vehicles (EVs). Trump has pledged to roll back these measures early in his administration.
Duffy will face a host of challenges as transportation secretary. Traffic fatalities remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, and there is increasing pressure from automakers like Tesla to ease rules governing self-driving vehicles. Oversight of Boeing will also remain a critical issue following safety concerns over the 737 MAX, while the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to grapple with controller shortages and incidents involving near-miss collisions.
The department will also oversee Elon Musk’s companies, with Tesla under scrutiny for its Autopilot system and SpaceX facing potential fines for space license violations. Musk, who has been involved in Trump’s transition, has called for the resignation of FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker.
Rail safety reforms, spurred by the 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, will demand attention, alongside managing billions in funding for high-speed rail and Amtrak projects. Duffy’s role will also involve decisions on aviation passenger rights and approval of airline joint ventures.
Former Uber executive Emil Michael, previously considered for the position, congratulated Duffy, stating, “It was the honor of a lifetime to even be considered.”