Trump Administration Threatens Funding Cuts Over Trucker English Rule After Deadly Florida Crash

A fatal Florida crash involving an undocumented truck driver has ignited not only grief and outrage — but now, a political storm in Washington. In the weeks following the August 12 tragedy that killed three people on the Florida Turnpike, the Trump administration announced potential funding cuts for three states accused of failing to enforce English-language proficiency rules for commercial truck drivers.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday that California, Washington, and New Mexico could lose millions of dollars in federal highway safety funding if they do not comply with new language enforcement standards established under one of President Trump’s executive orders earlier this year.

The move underscores a growing national debate over driver qualification, immigration enforcement, and public safety — all intensified by the circumstances of the Florida crash.

A Tragedy That Sparked Nationwide Scrutiny

As we reported recently, 28-year-old Harjinder Singh, an undocumented immigrant from India, allegedly made an illegal U-turn in a tractor-trailer on the Florida Turnpike, blocking all northbound lanes. A minivan collided with the trailer, killing all three occupants. Singh was later charged with vehicular homicide and manslaughter, and a judge ordered him held without bond.

The case has drawn attention to how Singh obtained a commercial driver’s license (CDL) despite his immigration status, and whether state or federal agencies failed to enforce English proficiency and eligibility rules meant to protect the public.

According to Duffy, the incident revealed “significant failures” in the way some states are handling CDL oversight. “We all use the roadway,” he said. “We need to make sure those who are driving big rigs can understand road signs and communicate clearly if they’re pulled over or involved in a crash.”

Funding Threats and State Responses

Under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP), states receive federal funding to help enforce trucking safety rules. Duffy warned that if California, Washington, and New Mexico do not comply within 30 days, they could collectively lose over $50 million in safety funds — including $33 million for California, $10.5 million for Washington, and $7 million for New Mexico.

Federal data shows that while tens of thousands of truck inspections have been conducted since the English-language rule took effect in June, very few violations resulted in drivers being taken off the road. For example:

• California conducted 34,000 inspections and recorded only one driver removed for an English violation.

• Washington reported 6,000 violations but just four enforcement actions tied to language proficiency.

• New Mexico reported none.

“These statistics show a clear lack of enforcement,” Duffy said. “Failure to act puts American motorists at risk.”

States Push Back, Calling It Political

Governors of the affected states have accused the Trump administration of politicizing a tragedy.

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “This is rich — the Trump Administration approved the federal work permit for the man who killed three people, and now they’re scrambling to shift blame after getting caught. Sean’s nonsense announcement is as big a joke as the Trump Administration itself.”

New Mexico officials defended their licensing process, emphasizing that CDL testing already includes an English component. “Initial reports suggest these claims relate to a small number of roadside incidents over a three-month period,” said spokesperson Michael Coleman.

Washington’s governor declined to comment until after reviewing Duffy’s formal letter, though state officials confirmed they are “reviewing all compliance data.”

Safety or Politics? The Core Question

Behind the political headlines lies a serious public safety concern. English-language proficiency has long been a federal requirement for commercial drivers, designed to ensure they can read road signs, fill out reports, and communicate in emergencies.

The Florida crash — which we covered in depth in our recent post — tragically demonstrated how communication failures, improper licensing, or regulatory oversight gaps can have deadly consequences.

Legal Accountability and Public Safety

For the families of those lost, political finger-pointing offers no comfort. What matters most is accountability — not just for the driver, but for any agency or company that failed to follow the rules.

At Ketterer, Browne & Davani, LLC, we continue to follow this story closely because it reflects a central issue in our work: ensuring safety and accountability in the trucking industry. Every step of the licensing and hiring process exists for a reason — to protect innocent lives. When those standards are ignored, tragedy follows.

The growing debate over the Trump administration’s response only underscores what KBD Attorneys has emphasized all along: trucking safety is not political — it’s personal.

If you have been in motor vehicle accident contact us today.