“Promises Made, Promises Kept.” On January 20, 2025, as President Donald J. Trump began his second term, this principle has driven his administration to pursue key accomplishments for the American populace.
The Department of Transport is leading this initiative. President Trump, known for his building prowess, has successfully shifted our government from an entrenched bureaucracy to a dynamic force emphasizing safety, affordability, and innovation.
It hasn’t been simple. The prior administration hampered the Department of the Environment with stringent environmental and social demands, let an outdated air traffic control system persist, left significant infrastructure funds untouched, implemented electric vehicle mandates, and permitted states to unlawfully issue truck driver licenses.
It was chaotic, to say the least. Yet, from day one, we have aimed to restore order and create something remarkable again.
Modernizing the Skies
A major component of President Trump’s transportation agenda is developing a new air traffic control system. This system, which remains secure, still utilizes technology from decades past. Before the start of his second term, the outdated system contributed to significant flight delays and cancellations, and hindered the U.S. from adopting modern innovations like package-delivering drones and flying taxis.
Recognizing the situation, Trump and I quickly took action. Thanks to $12.5 billion allocated by the President and Republican lawmakers through the One Big Beautiful Bill, we initiated the most extensive air traffic control reform in history.
The outcomes are already evident. The department has upgraded over a third of telecommunications lines from copper to fiber, installed more than 150 new radio systems, and implemented over 44 tower surface recognition systems. And that’s just the starting point. Recently, we’ve engaged a private sector partner to manage the project and awarded a contract to upgrade our aging radar technology.
While Biden and Buttigieg have claimed that a revamp of air traffic control will take more than ten years, we are aiming to achieve it in three. If that doesn’t reflect the pace characteristic of Trump, I’m not sure what does.
Addressing Illegal Activities in Trucking
The airspace is just a segment of the extensive transportation network that our Department oversees daily. Take the trucking industry, for example. After letting millions of undocumented immigrants into the country, Biden and Buttigieg allowed unqualified foreign drivers to operate 40-ton trucks under unauthorized licenses.
This led to tragic accidents nationwide, resulting in numerous casualties.
President Trump acknowledges the priority of keeping families safe on the roads. His recent proposals aim to tackle this ongoing crisis.
Following his directives, the department sprang into action. Within a year, it reinstated penalties for those failing English tests and dismissed nearly 12,000 drivers for inability to read road signs or communicate with law enforcement.
This summer, our department conducted a nationwide audit that revealed numerous states—California, New York, Minnesota, and others—had issued thousands of commercial driver’s licenses unlawfully. Some licenses were granted to undocumented immigrants, while others were issued beyond valid work permits.
We work meticulously to trace every aspect of this issue. Thus far, we’ve shut down over 6,500 training schools and are creating a new certification system to combat fraud.
The bottom line is clear: we will not compromise road safety for the sake of political correctness.
Reducing Costs
During his campaign, President Trump committed to repealing the electric vehicle mandate from his predecessor, ensuring transportation becomes more affordable again.
To keep that promise, we’re shifting the focus back to the working-class. The new USDOT initiative, “Freedom is an Affordable Car,” will eliminate the unreasonable mileage standards set by Buttigieg, potentially saving American families nearly $1,000 on new vehicles. Furthermore, this initiative will boost U.S. auto manufacturing and allow consumers more choice in vehicles. Starting this year, individuals can also deduct up to $10,000 from their auto loans for American-made cars.
Lowering car prices is just part of the equation. Thanks to President Trump’s focus on stimulating American energy production, it’s now more affordable to fill up at the gas station. We’ve streamlined energy transport regulations, saved $600 billion, approved new deep-water ports, and extracted funds from failing offshore wind initiatives.
Restoring Maritime Dominance
Reviving the U.S. shipyards is a hallmark of President Trump’s impactful second term. My department plays a crucial role in this maritime revival through investments in ships, ports, and a skilled workforce. Since 2020, no other entity has delivered its vessels on schedule and within budget.
However, having vessels means little without competent crews. Investing in the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is critical. For 250 years, the sea has been vital for commerce, food, and national security, and we’re dedicated to increasing our maritime workforces by 250 individuals.
These examples represent just a few of the significant achievements we’ve made alongside President Trump. From a 20% rise in air traffic controller hiring to the management of major transport hubs like Washington’s Union Station and New York’s Penn Station, there’s too much to recount about transportation in 2025.
The encouraging news? Looking ahead to 2026, we expect even greater developments with America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, significant infrastructure initiatives in Congress, the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, and more. I’m committed to propelling the transportation sector into a new golden age.
