Trump’s new executive order demands English from all truck drivers: ‘non-negotiable safety requirement’ or off the road immediately
Donald Trump is moving to sign an executive order that would force all commercial truck drivers in the United States to speak English, labeling it a “non-negotiable safety requirement” aimed at protecting public roadways — a move critics see as another escalation of his divisive culture war tactics.
Although federal rules have required English proficiency for commercial drivers for years, enforcement has historically been sporadic, according to Breitbart.
Trump, who recently issued an executive order declaring English as the official language of the United States, is doubling down on his agenda to enforce rigid language standards under the guise of promoting “shared American culture.” His administration argues that stricter enforcement is necessary for public safety and national unity, though opponents warn it risks alienating immigrant communities vital to the trucking industry and broader economy.
“President Trump believes that English is a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers, as they should be able to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety officers, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station personnel, and provide and receive feedback and directions in English,” the document reads.
According to a White House document reviewed by Breitbart News, Trump’s new order would direct Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to overhaul inspection procedures to ensure strict enforcement of English proficiency among drivers.
Truckers who fail to meet these standards could be taken off the road immediately. The directive also pushes Duffy to tighten verification of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and calls for additional measures aimed at improving truckers’ working conditions — though skeptics note the administration’s record on labor protections has been inconsistent.
While Trump frames the move as a safety initiative, Democrats are already raising concerns that the order may disproportionately target immigrant workers and feed into Trump’s broader anti-immigrant rhetoric, further deepening the cultural divides across the country.
