1 month ago

Trump Launches Freedom Haulers to Replace Immigrant Truckers

Trump Launches Freedom Haulers to Replace Immigrant Truckers
What is Freedom Haulers? Trump launches initiative to recruit military veterans as truck drivers · financialexpress.com

President Donald Trump announced a new program called Freedom Haulers.

It will let military veterans get truck driving licenses faster and train them if they haven’t driven trucks before.

The plan also says the government will remove many truck licenses that were given to people who aren’t citizens or don’t speak English.

Trucking companies and the trucking association said they will hire thousands of veterans.

The program is part of a bigger effort to make roads safer and give veterans good jobs.

Key facts

Initiative name
Freedom Haulers
Target group
Military veterans
License waiver period
12 to 24 months after service
CDL training coverage
GI Bill covers up to 100%
States participating
34 (incl. Indiana, Wyoming, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland)
Jobs pledged by Werner Enterprises
1,400 veterans
Licences cancelled
over 52,000 (24,000+28,000)
Average earnings
$70,000 per year
Launch date
July 30, 2026

Quotes

US Department of Transportation website

Official statement from the U.S. Department of Transportation

“"Thank you all for being here as we take action to get illegal alien truck drivers off the American roadways. We’re doing a very strong movement, and we have had such support for this, and replace them with proud American veterans. And it’s about time."”
financialexpress.com
“"We're doing a very strong movement," Trump said. "We're taking action to get illegal alien truck drivers off the American roadways... and replace them with proud American veterans."”
thehansindia.com

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins

U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs

“"President Trump’s administration has made our roads safer by taking illegal alien, non‑English‑speaking truck drivers off America’s highways. Now, through the ‘Freedom Haulers’ initiative, the president is expanding opportunities for our veterans by making it easier to obtain commercial driver’s licenses once they conclude their service."”
financialexpress.com
“"Because of the president's initiative... we all have been working overtime to make sure we take illegals off American roads and we give those jobs to great Americans, including great American veterans."”
thehansindia.com

Sources

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