Duffy Threatens to Cut Federal Funds Unless NYC Cleans Up Illegally Issued Commercial Driver’s Licenses

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is giving New York 30 days to “come into compliance” with rules governing the issuance of commercial driver’s licenses.

Duffy’s warning comes amid several high-profile truck accidents involving CDLs.

The threat is explicit: fix the problem or lose the money.

“Fifty-three percent of New York’s non-domiciled CDLs were issued unlawfully or illegally,” Duffy said at a press conference.

He later doubled down on X, spelling out the stakes in blunt terms: “We’re holding New York accountable for issuing non-domicile commercial driver’s licenses to truckers illegally. FULL STOP. We’re giving New York 30 days to comply or we’ll withhold $73 MILLION! The safety of the American people comes first.”

.@SecDuffy announces that 53% of New York’s non-domiciled CDLs were issued unlawfully:

“I am going to give New York 30 days… to come into compliance… If New York refuses to come into compliance…we are going to pull tens of millions of dollars.” pic.twitter.com/OTclZFf3JE

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 12, 2025

New York officials fired back.

State DMV spokesman Walter McClure accused Duffy of lying and politicizing the issue.

“Secretary Duffy is lying about New York State once again in a desperate attempt to distract from the failing, chaotic administration he represents,” McClure said.

McClure insisted New York follows federal law, arguing that CDLs are federally regulated and that the state verifies lawful status using federally issued documents.

“Every CDL we issue is subject to verification of an applicant’s lawful status through federally-issued documents reviewed in accordance with federal regulations,” he said, calling Duffy’s move “just another stunt” that “does nothing to keep our roads safer.”

But Duffy isn’t backing off.

With $73 million on the line and a 30-day clock ticking, the showdown now pits Washington enforcement against Albany defiance — with federal dollars and highway safety hanging in the balance.

Watch the clip below:

.@SecDuffy: “We have states that are giving out CDLs like candy… they have allowed people who should NEVER have a CDL… operating an 80,000 pound Big Rig on an American road. We are NOT going to have it at @USDOT… we are going to hold states accountable.” pic.twitter.com/sYqgyUgZzk

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 12, 2025