US President-elect Donald Trump said he is naming former Wisconsin representative Sean Duffy as transportation secretary, continuing to assemble his Cabinet on Monday.
Duffy, a former reality television personality and prominent Trump defender on cable news, served in the House for nearly nine years on the Financial Services Committee and chaired the subcommittee on insurance and housing before departing in 2019. He currently co-hosts “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business.
Trump’s announcement highlighted Duffy’s marriage to Fox News presenter Rachel Campos-Duffy, whom he described as “a STAR on Fox News.” Duffy becomes the second Fox-affiliated television personality selected for Trump’s Cabinet, following last week’s nomination of Pete Hegseth as defence secretary.
Trump expressed confidence that Duffy would utilise his congressional experience to address infrastructure needs and enhance American travel, emphasising “Safety, Efficiency, and Innovation.” In 2022, Duffy declined to pursue Wisconsin’s governorship despite Trump’s encouragement, citing family commitments due to his youngest child’s heart condition.
Before his political career, Duffy competed as a lumberjack athlete and appeared on MTV’s “The Real World: Boston” in 1997. He met his wife during MTV’s “Road Rules: All Stars” in 1998. He later served as a special prosecutor and Ashland County district attorney before winning his congressional seat in 2010.
The Transportation Department’s next leader will face significant challenges, including high traffic fatality rates, emerging autonomous vehicle technologies, and the transition to electric vehicles.
The department oversees various transportation modes and includes crucial agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Aviation Administration.
Trump’s stance on electric vehicles has been critical, describing President Joe Biden‘s EV policies as “lunacy.” However, his rhetoric has moderated following Elon Musk’s endorsement. Industry observers anticipate potential efforts to decelerate EV adoption.
Trump said that Duffy would focus on “Excellence, Competence, Competitiveness and Beauty” in infrastructure development. He also indicated that Duffy would address aviation safety by removing diversity, equity and inclusion programmes for pilots and air traffic controllers.