Additional Coverage:
- Army veteran raves over Trump’s plan to ditch illegal alien truck drivers and hire vets (foxnews.com)
At a White House event on Wednesday, President Donald Trump introduced the “Freedom Haulers” initiative, aimed at bolstering the trucking industry by fast-tracking military veterans into trucking careers. Among those in attendance was Tom Jacques, an Army veteran and trucking executive, who expressed strong support for the program.
Jacques, who serves as the director of Department of Transportation compliance at Waste Management and chairs the Pennsylvania Motor Trucking Association, emphasized the value veterans bring to the industry. “It’s wonderful to get skilled workers who are disciplined and dedicated into an industry that requires both,” he said. Jacques highlighted that operating an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer demands a high level of safety and discipline-qualities ingrained in military service members.
The initiative allows qualified veterans with heavy-vehicle experience to bypass the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) road-skills test, recognizing the training they received during military service. In 34 participating states so far, some veterans may also qualify to waive the written knowledge test. For veterans without prior truck-driving experience, the program offers expedited training that can be completed in a matter of weeks.
President Trump underscored the safety record of veteran truck drivers, noting they are involved in 42% fewer accidents compared to non-veterans, despite often driving twice as many miles. Jacques reiterated the industry’s ongoing need for drivers, pointing out the vital role truckers play in delivering goods nationwide. He also reflected on the COVID-19 pandemic, during which truckers continued working as essential personnel to keep supply chains moving.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy praised the initiative, highlighting that truck driving jobs can pay between $80,000 and $100,000 annually. He noted the challenge veterans face when transitioning to civilian trucking, often having to undergo lengthy retraining despite their military experience-a gap the new program aims to close.
A notable component of the Freedom Haulers initiative is its focus on removing unqualified illegal alien truck drivers from U.S. roads. President Trump criticized states that have issued commercial driver’s licenses to undocumented individuals, citing safety concerns due to language barriers and insufficient qualifications. He reported that over 24,000 illegal alien drivers have been taken off the roads, and that last year, at least 30 Americans lost their lives in accidents involving such drivers.
In closing, President Trump framed the initiative as a commitment to safer highways and better job opportunities for American veterans. “The radical left wants more jobs for illegal aliens and more migrants in 18-wheelers,” he said. “The Trump administration wants safer roads and more jobs for the American veteran.”