California Sues Trump Administration Over $33 Million Federal Transport Funding Cut

California has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after more than $33 million in federal funding for the state’s commercial vehicle safety programs was withheld over alleged non-compliance with English proficiency requirements for truck drivers. The suit, filed late Friday in the U.S. District Court for Northern California, names Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, the U.S. Transportation Department and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as defendants, challenging the decision announced in October.

The state argues that it already enforces English-language standards compatible with federal rules and called the funding termination “arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of discretion, and contrary to law.” California warned the move threatens road safety and could cause significant economic harm, noting that drivers holding California licenses are involved in 39% fewer fatal commercial vehicle accidents than the national average. The withheld funds support roadside inspections, traffic enforcement, safety audits of trucking companies and public education campaigns.

The legal challenge comes amid broader actions by the Trump administration targeting commercial driver licensing and immigration-related concerns. The Transportation Department has threatened to pull $73 million from New York over licenses issued to non-U.S. citizens, while emergency rules issued in September restricted such licenses nationwide. Although English proficiency has long been required for truck drivers, an April Trump order reversed 2016 guidance that allowed inspectors to avoid placing drivers out of service solely for language violations.

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