In recent days, Sean P. Duffy, the United States Secretary of Transportation, has taken significant and highly publicized steps to reshape national transportation policy, reflecting both his priorities and the administration’s broader agenda. Duffy’s tenure, now entering its early months, has been marked by decisive moves to shift resources and attention toward what he characterizes as core transportation issues, often moving away from the prior administration’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as environmental initiatives. One of Duffy’s most headline-grabbing actions came with the announcement that the Department of Transportation was terminating $54 million across seven university grants. These grants, according to Duffy, were focused on DEI and what he labeled a “Green New Scam” agenda. He argued that such projects were wasteful, divisive, and not aligned with the transportation priorities of the American public. Duffy stated, “The American people have zero interest in millions of their tax dollars funding research on the intersection of gender non-conforming people and infrastructure inequality or whether road improvement projects are racist. It’s time to inject a dose of reality back into our higher education system, and that starts with ending these wasteful and divisive grants.” The move has rapidly become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over the role of federal funding in social policy and higher education. Simultaneously, Duffy has placed strong emphasis on bolstering the air traffic controller workforce—a longstanding concern due to understaffing, which has contributed to delays and safety concerns in the nation’s skies. Just last week, Duffy unveiled a new package of actions designed to expedite both the hiring and retention of air traffic controllers. Building on efforts he launched in his first 100 days, the initiative introduces recruitment awards and retention incentives, aiming to reverse decades of staffing declines and secure the future safety and efficiency of air travel. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has publicly welcomed these measures, expressing optimism about improvements to facility infrastructure and the modernization of air traffic systems. Duffy’s broader policy approach has also included steps to roll back several regulations associated with the previous administration. He has supported efforts to rescind certain Obama-era policies, including rules related to fuel efficiency and DEI requirements, and has pledged to enforce English language proficiency among truck drivers, positioning these actions as part of an initiative to support American industry and safety. Beyond airports and funding battles, Duffy’s leadership has been visible in addressing transportation safety in the nation’s capital. He recently urged Washington, D.C. leaders and transit agencies to prioritize upgrades in passenger security, reduce crime, and combat fare evasion on public transit systems, aligning with the administration’s call for Americans to return to office work and daily commutes. Duffy, a former congressman and TV host, was confirmed as Secretary with bipartisan support last year. His early agenda reflects a focus on deregulation, traditional infrastructure projects, and modernization, along with a distinct shift away from initiatives tied to sustainability and social equity. Whether these decisions usher in a “golden age” of transportation or provoke further controversy remains to be seen, but there is little doubt that Secretary Duffy’s imprint on national transportation policy is already significant and rapidly evolving.
