Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy’s recent report accuses California’s government of grave negligence in issuing driver’s licenses. The case centers on a tragic incident involving a semi-truck driven by a foreign asylum seeker that resulted in the loss of three lives. Duffy did not shy away from assigning blame, stating that the actions of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration directly contributed to this disaster.

The report reveals that the state ignored federal directives aimed at preventing the issuance of licenses to non-compliant individuals. Specifically, Duffy claims that California failed to revoke licenses that should never have been granted. This oversight raises serious questions about the state’s adherence to federal laws regarding licensing practices for commercial drivers.

Duffy highlighted a glaring flaw in California’s system for commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). Following an extensive audit by federal regulators, significant procedural errors were found. “Systemic policy, procedural, and programming errors” led to licenses being issued to individuals without the proper legal status. This included non-domiciled drivers whose federal work authorization had expired—a direct violation of newly introduced interim federal standards.

The report details the federal government’s move on September 26 to tighten regulations regarding non-domiciled CDLs, emphasizing the need for states to confirm an applicant’s legal status. This includes utilizing the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database to prevent such tragic missteps in the future. However, California, according to Duffy, not only failed to comply with these new rules but also upgraded the license of the identified driver, Jashanpreet Singh, shortly after the new regulations were enacted.

Duffy expressed his condolences for the victims’ families while holding California’s governance accountable. He stated, “My prayers are with the families of the victims of this tragedy. It would have never happened if Gavin Newsom had followed our new rules.” This sentiment underscores a broader call for accountability in the wake of government negligence that led to the deaths of innocent citizens.

The implications of this situation extend beyond individual liability. The review indicates a troubling pattern, revealing that nearly a quarter of the non-domiciled CDLs checked were improperly issued. Many were given to individuals whose legal status was expired or whose licenses did not align with federal immigration records. This is alarming given the potential public safety risks involved.

California’s response to the revelations has been under scrutiny as well. Federal authorities mandated that the state halt the issuance of new non-domiciled CDLs and require a comprehensive review of existing licenses to ensure compliance with federal laws. They were given a 30-day deadline to rectify these issues or risk losing up to $160 million in federal highway funding. Such a consequence illustrates the gravity of the situation and emphasizes the necessity for immediate corrective action.

In summary, the report by Duffy brings to light a critical failure by California’s state authorities to adhere to federal regulations in the issuance of driver’s licenses. The tragic accident involving Singh serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by bureaucratic oversights. As the investigation unfolds, it will be essential to monitor how California addresses these compliance failures and what steps will be taken to prevent further tragedies in the future.