{"id":23040,"date":"2026-07-31T11:10:05","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T06:10:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=23040"},"modified":"2026-07-31T11:10:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T06:10:05","slug":"trump-fast-tracks-veterans-into-trucking-jobs-with-cdl-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=23040","title":{"rendered":"Trump fast-tracks veterans into trucking jobs with CDL initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div id=\"beyondwords-wrapper\" data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"beyondwords-wrapper\">\n<p><span class=\"label-bg\">NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">President <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_1811773\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/person\/donald-trump\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Donald Trump<\/a> 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&#8217;s roadways, arguing the effort will improve highway safety and create new employment opportunities for former service members.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">Speaking at the White House alongside Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and trucking industry leaders, Trump promoted the <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_1811774\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/trump-taps-veterans-fix-illegal-alien-trucking-problem-plaguing-us-roadways\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">&#8220;Freedom Haulers Initiative,&#8221;<\/a> which streamlines the commercial driver&#8217;s license (CDL) process for veterans with heavy vehicle experience gained during military service.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;Today, we&#8217;re taking action to get illegal alien truck drivers off the American roadways and replace them with proud American veterans,&#8221; <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_1811775\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/politics\/executive\/white-house\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Trump said.<\/a> &#8220;It&#8217;s about time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_1811776\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/trump-taps-veterans-fix-illegal-alien-trucking-problem-plaguing-us-roadways\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>TRUMP TAPS VETERANS TO FIX ILLEGAL ALIEN TRUCKING PROBLEM PLAGUING US ROADWAYS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/343\/192\/IMG_2577.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/686\/384\/IMG_2577.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/672\/378\/IMG_2577.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1344\/756\/IMG_2577.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/931\/523\/IMG_2577.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1862\/1046\/IMG_2577.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/720\/405\/IMG_2577.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1440\/810\/IMG_2577.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1200\/675\/IMG_2577.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"President Donald Trump announces the Freedom Haulers Initiative at the White House with cabinet officials.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>President Donald Trump speaks during an event promoting the Freedom Haulers Initiative at the White House, alongside Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, left, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, on July 30, 2026.<\/span> <span>(Peter D&#8217;Abrosca\/Fox News Digital)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">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.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">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.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">The president paired the promotion with his administration&#8217;s ongoing crackdown on commercial drivers who do not meet <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_1811777\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/out-control-unqualified-illegal-alien-truckers-endangering-kids-us-roads-insider-warns-just-madness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">federal English-language requirements<\/a> or who were issued licenses while in the country illegally.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_1811778\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/out-control-unqualified-illegal-alien-truckers-endangering-kids-us-roads-insider-warns-just-madness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>OUT OF CONTROL, UNQUALIFIED ILLEGAL ALIEN TRUCKERS ENDANGERING KIDS ON US ROADS, INSIDER WARNS: \u2018JUST MADNESS\u2019<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/343\/192\/IMG_2601.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/686\/384\/IMG_2601.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/672\/378\/IMG_2601.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1344\/756\/IMG_2601.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/931\/523\/IMG_2601.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1862\/1046\/IMG_2601.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/720\/405\/IMG_2601.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1440\/810\/IMG_2601.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1200\/675\/IMG_2601.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Veterans and trucking industry leaders attend the White House Freedom Haulers Initiative event\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Veterans, trucking industry representatives and administration officials attend a White House event announcing the Trump administration&#8217;s Freedom Haulers Initiative.<\/span> <span>(Peter D&#8217;Abrosca\/Fox News Digital)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">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&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Duffy said the initiative eliminates unnecessary barriers for veterans transitioning into civilian careers while prioritizing highway safety.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;These are great-paying jobs. They&#8217;re anywhere from $80,000 to $100,000-plus a year,&#8221; Duffy said. &#8220;\u2026illegals are out. American patriots are in.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_1811779\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/illegal-trucker-cases-fuel-gop-push-crack-cdl-mills-dems-largely-silent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>ILLEGAL TRUCKER CASES FUEL GOP PUSH TO CRACK DOWN ON CDL MILLS AS DEMS LARGELY SILENT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/343\/192\/IMG_2602.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/686\/384\/IMG_2602.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/672\/378\/IMG_2602.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1344\/756\/IMG_2602.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/931\/523\/IMG_2602.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1862\/1046\/IMG_2602.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/720\/405\/IMG_2602.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1440\/810\/IMG_2602.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1200\/675\/IMG_2602.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"President Donald Trump speaks during the White House announcement of the Freedom Haulers Initiative.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a White House event announcing the Freedom Haulers Initiative alongside Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.<\/span> <span>(Peter D&#8217;Abrosca\/Fox News Digital)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">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.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;Let&#8217;s put veterans in the seats, <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_1811780\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxbusiness.com\/category\/jobs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">making jobs safer<\/a> and better for all Americans,&#8221; Collins said, noting that roughly one in 10 truck drivers nationwide already are veterans.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">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.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;This administration&#8217;s Freedom Haulers campaign will have a direct and powerful impact on our ability to bring even more veterans into our workforce,&#8221; Meisgeier said.<\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/343\/192\/IMG_2590.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/686\/384\/IMG_2590.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/672\/378\/IMG_2590.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1344\/756\/IMG_2590.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/931\/523\/IMG_2590.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1862\/1046\/IMG_2590.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/720\/405\/IMG_2590.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1440\/810\/IMG_2590.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1200\/675\/IMG_2590.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks as President Donald Trump looks on during the Freedom Haulers announcement.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks as President Donald Trump listens during a White House event announcing the Freedom Haulers Initiative, which aims to expand trucking opportunities for military veterans.<\/span> <span>(Peter D&#8217;Abrosca\/Fox News Digital)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.onelink.me\/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&amp;af_dp=foxnewsaf%3A%2F%2F&amp;af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fapps-products\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">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.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;The trucking industry is more than just a sector of our economy \u2014 it&#8217;s the backbone of our commerce,&#8221; Washington said. &#8220;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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p> <!----> <!----> <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-bio\">\n<p>Peter D&#8217;Abrosca is a politics reporter at Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! 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&#8217;s roadways, arguing the effort will improve highway safety and create new employment opportunities for former service members. Speaking at the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23041,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/donald-trump-freedomhaulers-event.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23040","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-political-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23040","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23040"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23040\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/23041"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23040"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23040"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}