Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has prioritized safety, regulatory reform, and infrastructure modernization during his first weeks in office, while rolling back Biden-era climate and DEI initiatives. Appointed by President Donald Trump, Duffy’s actions reflect a focus on cost reduction, deregulation, and traditional infrastructure projects.
– Duffy called aging systems “shockingly outdated,” pledging to overhaul technology still reliant on 1980s-era infrastructure. This includes replacing obsolete systems like copper wires and floppy discs within 1.5–2.5 years.
– Highlighting 40,000 annual U.S. traffic deaths, Duffy vowed to prioritize crash prevention, citing his wife’s survival of a head-on collision as personal motivation.
– Duffy’s first act rescinded strict fuel economy rules, arguing they inflated car prices (averaging $48,000) and limited affordable options. This aligns with Trump’s executive orders to reduce “government overreach”.
– A “Woke Rescission” memo ordered agencies to eliminate programs tied to climate activism, DEI, or environmental justice. This threatens funding for projects like Massachusetts’ Sagamore Bridge replacement and Reconnecting Communities grants.
– Duffy aims to slash permitting delays, emphasizing highway expansion and public-private partnerships. He criticized Biden’s infrastructure spending for unclear outcomes, pledging to “build more with less money”.
– Advocating for decentralized decision-making, Duffy urged states to pursue locally prioritized projects with federal support.
– Grants now favor communities with higher marriage/birth rates, emphasizing “family dignity” over equity metrics.
– While supported by building trades unions for past infrastructure advocacy, Duffy faces criticism for freezing funds tied to DEI, which opponents argue undermines workforce diversity amid engineer shortages.
Duffy’s tenure signals a pivot toward cost-cutting, deregulation, and traditional infrastructure, sidelining climate and equity agendas. Critics warn of risks to sustainable projects and legal battles over frozen funds, while supporters applaud renewed focus on economic growth and safety.
