Newly appointed US transportation secretary Sean Duffy has taken swift action to reverse several policies enacted under the Biden-Harris administration, prioritising regulatory rollbacks and economic growth in line with president Donald Trump’s agenda.
Duffy was officially sworn in as the 20th US transportation secretary on 28 January by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, with a ceremonial oath administered the following day by vice president JD Vance.
Immediately after assuming office, Duffy signed a series of orders aimed at eliminating what he termed “woke” policies and reducing regulatory burdens on the transport sector.
One of Duffy’s first actions was to initiate a rollback of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, a move intended to lower vehicle costs for US consumers by removing fuel efficiency mandates introduced under the previous administration.
The secretary cited data from Cox Automotive showing a 15.5% rise in car prices between 2021 and 2024, attributing the increase to federal fuel economy requirements.
Under current regulations, passenger vehicles must meet a standard of 50.4 miles per gallon by 2031, which Duffy argues has inflated costs and limited consumer choice.
The new administration has also targeted environmental and equity-focused initiatives.
A “Woke Rescission” memorandum signed by Duffy directs the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) to eliminate Biden-era policies related to climate change, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and environmental justice.
This aligns with Trump’s executive orders seeking to remove regulations deemed ideologically driven.
Additionally, Duffy has moved to rescind a rule requiring state transportation departments to measure and set targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions on federally funded highways.
This rule, initially revoked under Trump’s first term but reinstated by Biden, had faced legal challenges questioning USDOT’s authority to enforce it.
The policy shifts reflect a broader effort by the Trump administration to scale back regulatory oversight in favour of market-driven solutions.
Speaking on the reforms, Duffy stated that his department would prioritise “economic prosperity and regulatory reform” over “political ideologies”.
The moves signal a significant departure from the previous administration’s transport policies, with further regulatory changes expected as USDOT aligns itself with Trump’s economic and infrastructure agenda.
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