Military veterans can expedite approval for licensing programs, while current service members can prepare for careers in professional driving.
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump announced on July 30 the Freedom Haulers campaign to improve safety on the nation’s highways by removing unqualified commercial truck drivers and replacing them with military veterans.
The initiative is needed to stop dangerous conditions, he said during a White House ceremony, citing recent fatal accidents involving illegal aliens driving heavy trucks, causing at least 30 deaths nationwide over the past year.
“For many years, American highways and roadways have been terrorized by unqualified illegal aliens dangerously driving big rigs,” Trump said.
“As we get illegal aliens off the roads, today we’re also taking action to replace these unqualified illegal truck drivers with highly qualified American veterans.”
Veterans can receive up to 100 percent tuition coverage for approved commercial drivers’ licensing programs. Benefits provided by the GI Bill allow veterans to receive monthly educational housing allowance payments, while also earning weekly salaries for driving trucks, thus allowing trainees to graduate without debt.
Hundreds of veterans watched the festivities, flanked by a military vehicle and a Werner cab adorned with patriotic wrap.
The Freedom Haulers program is overseen by the White House and Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Departments of Labor, Veterans Affairs, and War.
The new campaign follows Trump’s signing of an Executive Order in April, directing the enforcement of English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and ordering a review of domestic and international licenses to verify “authenticity and validity.”
Officials removed more than 24,000 drivers who couldn’t read or understand English language signs, according to the president.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are removing more and more dangerous foreign drivers off our roads every day and restoring the integrity of America’s trucking industry,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement. “Our new Freedom Haulers campaign will help build on these successes and get the word out that there’s never been a better time for America’s former service members to get behind the wheel of a big rig.”
He encouraged veterans looking for employment opportunities to consider getting behind the wheel to help secure the nation’s supply lines.
