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President Donald Trump on Thursday formally kicked off an administration initiative designed to fast-track military veterans into trucking jobs while removing illegal immigrant commercial drivers from America’s roadways, arguing the effort will improve highway safety and create new employment opportunities for former service members.
Speaking at the White House alongside Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and trucking industry leaders, Trump promoted the “Freedom Haulers Initiative,” which streamlines the commercial driver’s license (CDL) process for veterans with heavy vehicle experience gained during military service.
“Today, we’re taking action to get illegal alien truck drivers off the American roadways and replace them with proud American veterans,” Trump said. “It’s about time.”
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Under the initiative, qualified veterans with heavy-vehicle experience gained during military service can apply to waive the CDL road-skills test, allowing them to avoid duplicating training they received in the military. Certain veterans in participating states may also qualify for a waiver of the written knowledge test. Veterans without military truck-driving experience will be eligible for expedited training that administration officials said could be completed in several weeks.
Trump said 34 states have joined or are working to implement the Even Exchange Program, including Indiana, Wyoming, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida and Maryland, and called on the remaining states to participate.
The president paired the promotion with his administration’s ongoing crackdown on commercial drivers who do not meet federal English-language requirements or who were issued licenses while in the country illegally.
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Trump said the administration has removed more than 24,000 non-English-speaking commercial drivers from behind the wheel and worked with states to cancel more than 28,000 commercial driver’s licenses he said were unlawfully issued to illegal immigrants. He also pointed to several fatal crashes allegedly involving illegal immigrants while arguing for the policy change.
Duffy said the initiative eliminates unnecessary barriers for veterans transitioning into civilian careers while prioritizing highway safety.
“These are great-paying jobs. They’re anywhere from $80,000 to $100,000-plus a year,” Duffy said. “…illegals are out. American patriots are in.”
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Collins said the Department of Veterans Affairs will also expand access to CDL training by allowing eligible veterans to use GI Bill benefits and by accelerating enrollment in existing training programs.
“Let’s put veterans in the seats, making jobs safer and better for all Americans,” Collins said, noting that roughly one in 10 truck drivers nationwide already are veterans.
Werner Enterprises President Nathan Meisgeier announced his company will hire 1,400 veterans over the next year as part of the Freedom Haulers Initiative, calling military veterans a natural fit for the trucking industry.
“This administration’s Freedom Haulers campaign will have a direct and powerful impact on our ability to bring even more veterans into our workforce,” Meisgeier said.
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Army veteran Ricky Washington, who transitioned into commercial trucking after serving for three decades in the Army and Army National Guard, said the profession offers former service members another opportunity to serve the country.
“The trucking industry is more than just a sector of our economy — it’s the backbone of our commerce,” Washington said. “It is a place where service members, veterans [and] military spouses can find a purpose, a community and a way to continue keeping our great nation moving forward.”
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