President Donald Trump announced the White House's new "Freedom Haulers" initiative on Thursday, July 29, 2026, aimed at opening new pathways for military veterans to become commercial truck drivers while intensifying efforts to remove illegal immigrant and non-English-speaking truckers from U.S. highways.

The initiative follows a joint investigation by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation (DOT) into truck driver schools, uncovering improper certifications and falsified records, particularly involving commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) issued to non-citizens. This crackdown comes after multiple fatal truck accidents involving illegal immigrants, highlighting significant safety concerns.

Under the Freedom Haulers program, the DOT will expand eligibility for veterans to receive expedited CDLs by extending the waiver period from 12 months to 24 months after active-duty service. More than 28,000 CDLs were canceled after officials determined they had been improperly issued to non-citizen truck drivers.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Fox News Digital, "Now, through the Freedom Haulers initiative, the President is expanding opportunities for our veterans by making it easier to obtain commercial driver’s licenses once they conclude their service."

Trump, joined by DOT Secretary Sean Duffy, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, and Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling, announced the initiative on West Executive Avenue.

According to the DOT, truck drivers have experienced a 7.42% increase in real wages during the Trump administration, compared to a 3% decline under President Biden.

Sources