President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order mandating English proficiency tests for truckers, positioning it as critical for safety on the roadways.
Fox News reported that the upcoming order will require truck drivers to pass an English literacy test, a move aimed at rectifying communication problems that have allegedly increased due to past administrations' policies.
This decision reflects Trump's ongoing commitment to ensuring that drivers can effectively communicate on U.S. roads, considering the rise in the number of foreign-born truckers.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, revealed that Trump would sign this executive order late Monday afternoon. The measure directs the Department of Transportation to introduce English literacy tests into the certification process for truck drivers.
According to Leavitt, the lack of communication has created a risk for public safety, as drivers must interact with authorities and comprehend traffic signals.
"There’s a significant communication gap between drivers and officials," Leavitt asserted, linking prior exemptions and reduced enforcement under past administrations to the burgeoning issue. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is also tasked with revoking previous guidance that diluted the English proficiency standards for commercial drivers.
The Trump administration believes this policy is essential not just for standard interactions but for safety. A White House official emphasized that English proficiency is non-negotiable for truckers, who serve as the core of America's supply chain.
Drivers falling short of these standards will be labeled "out-of-service,” which is intended to bolster roadway safety.
The backdrop of this executive action highlights changes from previous administrations. The Obama administration's choice in 2016 to halt the enforcement of English requirements allowed more foreign-born individuals to enter the trucking industry.
Additionally, the Biden-Harris initiatives in 2024 promoting training for refugees further raised the foreign-born driver count, according to Fox News analyst Will Cain.
This executive order follows closely on the heels of another controversial order in March. President Trump declared English as the official language of the United States, nixed a 2000 policy by President Clinton that mandated language assistance for non-English speakers seeking federal aid.
Trump's push for a unified society through a shared language resounded through both policy updates. The emphasis on English literacy underscores Trump's broader vision for national unity and safety, encapsulated in his March order, where he characterized a shared language as central to societal cohesion.
"A single, designated language strengthens our nation," Trump had written, indicating the broader implications of such policies beyond just trucking.
Beyond immediate language concerns, this order also prompts Secretary Duffy to find ways to improve working conditions for truckers. Although details on these plans remain sparse, they highlight the administration's recognition of the challenges faced by this workforce.
In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 crisis, Trump lauded truckers for their indefatigable contributions to pandemic logistics. "Thank God for truckers," he famously stated, acknowledging their pivotal role in ensuring delivery and supply chains remained unbroken.
On Monday, Trump reiterated his belief that American truckers are indispensable to the nation's economy. Trump expressed his admiration for those he dubbed the "foot soldiers" bearing the country's logistical load.
Despite support from Trump's administration, the order might face scrutiny about its implications for diversity and inclusion within the trucking industry. However, the focus remains clear: addressing communications as a pressing safety challenge.
Critics may argue that the executive order could adversely affect an already struggling labor market for truck drivers. Nonetheless, Trump's determination to maintain what he sees as essential communication skills for public safety takes precedence.
