U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, recently confirmed by the Senate with a 77-22 vote, has swiftly implemented significant policy changes since taking office. On January 29, 2025, Secretary Duffy issued a new order and memorandum that outline major policy shifts, aligning with several of President Trump’s executive orders.
One of the key actions taken by Secretary Duffy is the rescission of what he termed “woke” policies, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, climate change activism, racial equity, gender identity policies, and environmental justice programs that were enacted during the Biden-Harris Administration. This move is part of a broader effort to roll back regulatory initiatives from the prior administration and to focus on economic analysis and cost-benefit considerations in transportation policy[2][5].
Secretary Duffy has also targeted environmental and emissions regulations. He approved a proposal to rescind a rule that required state transportation departments to measure carbon dioxide emissions on federally supported highways. Additionally, he ordered a review of fuel-economy standards for vehicles from the 2022 model year onward, which had previously required automakers to achieve an average of 50.4 miles per gallon across their new-car fleets by the 2031 model year. These changes have already impacted automaker strategies, with companies like Stellantis NV and Volkswagen adjusting their plans for electric vehicle production[5].
The new policies under Secretary Duffy aim to restore what he describes as "commonsense governance and merit-based policies" at the Department of Transportation. He emphasized that the American people deserve an efficient, safe, and pro-growth transportation system based on sound decision-making rather than political ideologies[2][5].
During his confirmation hearing, Secretary Duffy also outlined other priorities, including restoring global confidence in Boeing, hiring more air traffic controllers, and creating federal rules for self-driving cars. He assured that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) would continue its investigations into Tesla despite Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s role as an adviser to President Trump[5].
Secretary Duffy has expressed a strong commitment to innovation within the Department of Transportation, highlighting areas such as drones, autonomous vehicles, and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. He emphasized the importance of creating rules that will make America a leader in these innovative technologies[5].
Overall, Secretary Duffy's initial actions signal a significant shift in the Department of Transportation's priorities, focusing on economic growth, regulatory reform, and innovation, while rolling back many of the policies implemented by the previous administration.
