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Sean Duffy Says Tim Walz Has 30 Days To Rectify Discrepancies Or Lose $30 Million In Federal Funds Amid Illegal CDL Row: 'Fix This Or…'

Benzinga•December 02, 2025 at 6:05 AM•Full Content

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Gist

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy threatens Minnesota with loss of $30 million in federal funds over illegal CDL issuance, citing widespread non-domiciled license fraud and enforcing strict compliance deadlines.

LLM Summary

Secretary Sean Duffy has issued a 30-day ultimatum to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, demanding correction of widespread illegal Commercial Driver's License (CDL) issuances—allegedly one-third of non-domiciled CDLs are unlawful—under threat of losing $30 million in federal funding. The DOT is also enforcing compliance across trucking schools nationwide, framing the move as ending a 'Wild Wild West' era in trucking. The dispute is part of a broader political and regulatory clash between federal authorities and Democratic-led states.

Full Article Content

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has slammed Minnesota Governor and Democratic Party leader Tim Walz (D-Minn.) for illegally issuing Commercial Driving Licenses (CDLs).

Comply Or Lose $30 Million In Federal Funds, Says Duffy

Taking to the social media platform X on Monday, Duffy slammed the Democrat leader, alleging that the Department of Transportation (DOT) discovered that "one third" of the "non-domiciled CDLs" issued in the state were illegal. "MINNESOTA: You're on notice. You have 30 days to fix this or lose $30 million in federal funding," Duffy said in the post.

🚨🚨It just keeps getting worse for @GovTimWalz.
Just one day after 400 BRAVE employees from @MinnesotaDHS exposed "massive fraud," @USDOT has discovered that ONE THIRD of non-domiciled CDLs were issued ILLEGALLY in the state.
MINNESOTA: You're on notice. You have 30 days to… https://t.co/EDsPx9lQKg
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) December 2, 2025

Duffy also shared that the DOT has issued a 30-day deadline for all CDL schools and training centers to comply with Federal regulations or face a shutdown.

"The days of a "Wild Wild West" trucking industry are over under the Trump administration," Duffy said.

🚨HUGE ALERT🚨 @USDOT is giving THOUSANDS of trucking schools 30 days to comply with federal rules for drivers or they may be forced to close down.
The days of a "Wild Wild West" trucking industry are over under the Trump administration 🚛 https://t.co/ZRWebpTXij
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) December 1, 2025

Commercial CDL Row

Earlier this year, Duffy locked horns with California Governor Gavin Newsom after an undocumented semi truck driver who received his CDL in California took an illegal U-turn on a Florida highway, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals.

It's worth noting that this isn't the first time Duffy has threatened to pull federal funding from a Democrat-controlled state; the Transportation Secretary earlier threatened to withdraw $160 million in federal funding from California, drawing criticism from Newsom.

Self-Driving Trucks And Trains?

Self-driving transportation companies like Aurora Innovation (NASDAQ: AUR) are developing autonomous trucks in the U.S., which could be a possible answer to transportation needs as regulations around CDLs get tougher. Autonomous trains could be an alternative as well, with former SpaceX employee Matt Soule working on a startup that promises electric battery autonomous freight trains, called Parallel Systems.

Tesla Inc.‘s (NASDAQ: TSLA) Semi trucks, too, could come in handy as the model line boasts some autonomous capabilities as well as enhanced battery range. Tesla already has a partnership in place with Uber Technologies Inc.‘s (NYSE: UBER) freight operations.

Tim Walz Vs Trump

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Governor recently faced off against President Donald Trump, raising questions over Trump’s health following the MRI scan. “It's clear the president's fading physically,” Walz said in an interview following some choice words for the Governor by Trump.

Transportation Secretary **Sean Duffy** has slammed Minnesota Governor and Democratic Party leader **Tim Walz** (D-Minn.) for illegally issuing Commercial Driving Licenses (CDLs).

## Comply Or Lose $30 Million In Federal Funds, Says Duffy

Taking to the social media platform X on Monday, Duffy slammed the Democrat leader, alleging that the **Department of Transportation** (DOT) discovered that "one third" of the "non-domiciled CDLs" issued in the state were illegal. "MINNESOTA: You're on notice. You have 30 days to fix this or lose $30 million in federal funding," Duffy said in the post.

> 🚨🚨It just keeps getting worse for [@GovTimWalz](https://twitter.com/GovTimWalz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw).
> Just one day after 400 BRAVE employees from [@MinnesotaDHS](https://twitter.com/MinnesotaDHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) exposed "massive fraud," [@USDOT](https://twitter.com/USDOT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) has discovered that ONE THIRD of non-domiciled CDLs were issued ILLEGALLY in the state.
> MINNESOTA: You're on notice. You have 30 days to… [https://t.co/EDsPx9lQKg](https://t.co/EDsPx9lQKg)
> — Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) [December 2, 2025](https://twitter.com/SecDuffy/status/1995649610488914054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Duffy also shared that the DOT has issued a 30-day deadline for all CDL schools and training centers to comply with Federal regulations or face a shutdown.

"The days of a "Wild Wild West" trucking industry are over under the Trump administration," Duffy said.

> 🚨HUGE ALERT🚨 [@USDOT](https://twitter.com/USDOT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) is giving THOUSANDS of trucking schools 30 days to comply with federal rules for drivers or they may be forced to close down.
> The days of a "Wild Wild West" trucking industry are over under the Trump administration 🚛 [https://t.co/ZRWebpTXij](https://t.co/ZRWebpTXij)
> — Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) [December 1, 2025](https://twitter.com/SecDuffy/status/1995617377988608347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Commercial CDL Row

Earlier this year, Duffy locked horns with California Governor **Gavin Newsom** after an undocumented semi truck driver who received his CDL in California took an illegal U-turn on a Florida highway, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals.

It's worth noting that this isn't the first time Duffy has threatened to pull federal funding from a Democrat-controlled state; the Transportation Secretary earlier threatened to withdraw $160 million in federal funding from California, drawing criticism from Newsom.

## Self-Driving Trucks And Trains?

Self-driving transportation companies like **Aurora Innovation** (NASDAQ: AUR) are developing autonomous trucks in the U.S., which could be a possible answer to transportation needs as regulations around CDLs get tougher. Autonomous trains could be an alternative as well, with former **SpaceX** employee **Matt Soule** working on a startup that promises electric battery autonomous freight trains, called **Parallel Systems**.

**Tesla Inc.**‘s (NASDAQ: TSLA) Semi trucks, too, could come in handy as the model line boasts some autonomous capabilities as well as enhanced battery range. Tesla already has a partnership in place with **Uber Technologies Inc.**‘s (NYSE: UBER) freight operations.

## Tim Walz Vs Trump

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Governor recently faced off against President **Donald Trump**, raising questions over Trump’s health following the MRI scan. “It's clear the president's fading physically,” Walz said in an interview following some choice words for the Governor by Trump.

<p>Transportation Secretary <strong>Sean Duffy</strong> has slammed Minnesota Governor and Democratic Party leader <strong>Tim Walz</strong> (D-Minn.) for illegally issuing Commercial Driving Licenses (CDLs).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Comply Or Lose $30 Million In Federal Funds, Says Duffy</h2>



<p>Taking to the social media platform X on Monday, Duffy slammed the Democrat leader, alleging that the <strong>Department of Transportation</strong> (DOT) discovered that "one third" of the "non-domiciled CDLs" issued in the state were illegal. "MINNESOTA: You're on notice. You have 30 days to fix this or lose $30 million in federal funding," Duffy said in the post.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#x1f6a8;&#x1f6a8;It just keeps getting worse for <a href="https://twitter.com/GovTimWalz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovTimWalz</a>.<br><br>Just one day after 400 BRAVE employees from <a href="https://twitter.com/MinnesotaDHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MinnesotaDHS</a> exposed "massive fraud," <a href="https://twitter.com/USDOT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USDOT</a> has discovered that ONE THIRD of non-domiciled CDLs were issued ILLEGALLY in the state.<br><br>MINNESOTA: You're on notice. You have 30 days to… <a href="https://t.co/EDsPx9lQKg">https://t.co/EDsPx9lQKg</a></p>&mdash; Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecDuffy/status/1995649610488914054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Duffy also shared that the DOT has issued a 30-day deadline for all CDL schools and training centers to comply with Federal regulations or face a shutdown.</p>



<p>"The days of a "Wild Wild West" trucking industry are over under the Trump administration," Duffy said.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#x1f6a8;HUGE ALERT&#x1f6a8; <a href="https://twitter.com/USDOT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USDOT</a> is giving THOUSANDS of trucking schools 30 days to comply with federal rules for drivers or they may be forced to close down.<br><br>The days of a "Wild Wild West" trucking industry are over under the Trump administration &#x1f69b; <a href="https://t.co/ZRWebpTXij">https://t.co/ZRWebpTXij</a></p>&mdash; Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecDuffy/status/1995617377988608347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Commercial CDL Row</h2>



<p>Earlier this year, Duffy locked horns with California Governor <strong>Gavin Newsom </strong>after an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/08/47275861/marco-rubio-says-trump-admin-to-block-visas-for-foreign-truck-drivers-after-fatal-florida-crash-sean-duffy-decries-radical-immigration-policies">undocumented semi truck driver</a> who received his CDL in California took an illegal U-turn on a Florida highway, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals.</p>



<p>It's worth noting that this isn't the first time <span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Duffy has threatened to pull federal funding from a Democrat-controlled state; the Transportation Secretary earlier threatened <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/11/48825719/gavin-newsom-slams-sean-duffy-over-sad-and-desperate-falsehoods-in-cdl-dispute-transport-secretary-responds-blatantly-lying" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to withdraw $160 million in federal funding</a> from</span> California, drawing criticism from Newsom.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Self-Driving Trucks And Trains?</h2>



<p>Self-driving transportation companies like <strong>Aurora Innovation </strong><a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="AUR" data-exchange="NASDAQ" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AUR" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AUR">AUR</a>)</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/09/47769162/3-stocks-to-consider-buying-as-self-driving-vehicles-take-off"> are developing autonomous trucks</a> in the U.S., which could be a possible answer to transportation needs as regulations around CDLs get tougher. Autonomous trains could be an alternative as well, with former <strong>SpaceX </strong>employee <strong>Matt Soule</strong> working on a startup that promises<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/11/48782594/a-waymo-for-freight-trains-this-start-up-ceo-is-working-on-it"> electric battery autonomous freight trains</a>, called <strong>Parallel Systems</strong>.</p>



<p><strong>Tesla Inc.</strong>&#8216;s <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="TSLA" data-exchange="NASDAQ" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSLA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSLA">TSLA</a>)</a> Semi trucks, too, could come in handy as the model line boasts some autonomous capabilities as well as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/11/48711714/tesla-to-reveal-roadster-in-2026-expands-robotaxi-program-to-new-cities-and-more-heres-what-you-need-to-know">enhanced battery range</a>. Tesla already has<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/09/47710000/teslas-semi-truck-head-dan-priestly-says-uber-freight-partnership-will-increase-ev-adoption-save-costs"> a partnership in place</a> with <strong>Uber Technologies Inc.</strong>&#8216;s <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="UBER" data-exchange="NYSE" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UBER" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UBER">UBER</a>)</a> freight operations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tim Walz Vs Trump</h2>



<p>Meanwhile, the Minnesota Governor recently faced off against President <strong>Donald Trump</strong>, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/12/49133084/trump-okay-to-release-mri-results-as-tim-walz-casts-doubt-on-presidents-mental-capacity">raising questions over Trump&#8217;s health</a> following the MRI scan. &#8220;It's clear the president's fading physically,&#8221; Walz said in an interview following some choice words for the Governor by Trump. </p>



<p><em>Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by</em><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility"> <em>following this link.</em></a></p>



<p><strong>Read Next:</strong></p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/11/49080245/sean-duffy-says-elizabeth-warren-voted-against-modernizing-aging-atc-equipment-amid-dress-for-success-row">Sean Duffy Says Elizabeth Warren Voted Against Modernizing Aging ATC Equipment Amid &#8216;Dress For Success&#8217; Row</a></li>
</ul>



<p><em>Photo courtesy: Joshua Sukoff / Shutterstock.com</em></p>

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Author:

Badar Shaikh

Image URL:

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Tickers:

AUR, TSLA, UBER

Updated At:

December 02, 2025 at 2:05 AM

Benzinga Channels:

Government, Politics, Tech

Benzinga Tags:

Donald Trump, mobility, Sean Duffy, Tim Walz

Teaser:

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy slams MN governor Tim Walz for issuing illegal CDLs, threatens to pull $30M in funds.

Benzinga Stocks:

AUR (NASDAQ), TSLA (NASDAQ), UBER (NYSE)

Benzinga Article ID:

49153096