President Donald Trump announced on July 30 the Freedom Haulers campaign to improve safety on the nation’s highways by removing unqualified commercial truck drivers and replacing them with military veterans.
Trump said, “For many years, American highways and roadways have been terrorized by unqualified illegal aliens dangerously driving big rigs.”
He added, “They’re driving big rigs, semi trucks, and tractor trailers all because radical left maniacs at the state level have issued them commercial driver’s licenses, even though they’re not entitled to have them.”
Trump said, “As we get illegal aliens off the roads, today we’re also taking action to replace these unqualified illegal truck drivers with highly qualified American veterans.”
Trump, along with Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling, were joined by a big rig on West Executive Avenue to announce the program.
Hundreds of veterans watched the festivities, flanked by a military vehicle and a Werner cab adorned with patriotic wrap.
Werner Trucking reportedly plans to hire 1,400 new veteran drivers, while the Department of Transportation will expand eligibility for expedited CDL waivers, with veterans now able to qualify up to 24 months after active-duty service, up from the current 12-month window.
Veterans can receive up to 100 percent tuition coverage for approved commercial drivers’ licensing programs, with benefits from the GI Bill allowing veterans monthly educational housing allowance payments while also earning weekly salaries for driving trucks.
Transportation Secretary Duffy took to social media before the event with a direct pitch.
“ILLEGALS OUT, VETERANS IN,” Duffy posted to social media.
He added, “Our new campaign, FREEDOM HAULERS, is reclaiming America’s highways and putting Vets in the driver’s seat.”
Duffy stated, “Illegal immigrants who can’t speak our language have no business getting behind the wheel of a big rig. Veterans – who have already demonstrated the grit, discipline, and skills to take on this vital task – are the right people for the job. Now through our Freedom Haulers campaign, we are cutting the red tape so these patriots can get their licenses even faster and start making real money in record time.”
Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, 66, embraced the initiative as a moral choice.
Collins said, “President Trump’s Freedom Haulers initiative is another victory for common sense. Instead of putting dangerous illegal immigrants on the road, we should be putting trust in our Veterans who have the discipline, determination and work ethic to succeed in this rewarding career path.”
Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling said, “Our Veterans have the grit and work ethic that employers across America are searching for, and Freedom Haulers has the potential to bridge that gap.”
The recruitment campaign will take many forms, including a new viral digital ad, radio ads, and a new microsite cataloging all the federal resources and private sector partners that can help service members secure good-paying trucking jobs.
Thirty-four states have joined the initiative, including Indiana, Wyoming, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida and Maryland.
Indiana, Wyoming, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Maryland are slated to join the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Even Exchange, which would help military truck drivers to transfer their experience to civilian truck driving.
In the viral moment that set the stage for this program,
more than 28,000 CDLs were canceled after officials determined they had been improperly issued to noncitizen truck drivers.
The initiative is needed to stop dangerous conditions, Trump said during the White House ceremony, citing recent fatal accidents involving illegal aliens driving heavy trucks, causing at least 30 deaths nationwide over the past year.
The announcement comes after a series of fatal crashes involving illegal immigrant truck drivers in states including Florida, California, Indiana and Pennsylvania.
Earlier this month, a Pennsylvania State Police trooper was killed during a roadside inspection when a semitruck driven by a Haitian national struck him.
Next week, Transportation Secretary Duffy and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins will host a kickoff event for the campaign and announce additional policy measures to support the effort.