‘Using Fox as a Broadcasting Agency’, Trump Requests Sean Duffy for Transportation

Newly elected US President Donald Trump on Monday announced Sean Duffy as his nominee to lead the Department of Transportation – the second Fox News host whom he has named as presumptive Cabinet secretary after picking Pete Hegseth as the future Pentagon chief.

Like the ex-president, Duffy is a former reality TV star who transitioned into politics. He was initially known for it MTV‘s “The Real World: Boston” and “Road Rules: All Stars,” then spent eight years as district attorney of Ashland County, Wisconsin.

Duffy was subsequently elected to represent Wisconsin as a Republican congressman. After resigning from the U.S. House of Representatives in 2019, Duffy joined Fox the following year. His wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, is also part of the network.

Trump said in a lengthy statement that “During his time in Congress, Sean was a respected voice and communicator in the Republican Conference, advocating for fiscal responsibility, economic growth and rural development. Sean was admired across the aisle and worked with Democrats to clear extensive Legislative hurdles to build the largest road and bridge project in Minnesota history.

“As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, Sean played a key role in shaping and strengthening economic policy and ensuring transparency and accountability in government programs,” he continued. “Sean’s leadership has extended to advocating for the needs of families, farmers and small businesses, especially in rural communities.”

“He will prioritize excellence, competence, competitiveness and beauty as we rebuild America’s highways, tunnels, bridges and airports,” Trump added. “He will ensure that our ports and dams serve our economy without endangering our national security, and he will make our skies safe again by eliminating DEI for pilots and air traffic controllers.”

DEI – or diversity, equity and inclusion – is a term used to describe policies that promote the inclusion of people from different backgrounds. In recent years, Republicans at all political levels have taken aim at such policies, which are often adopted by employers and universities.

Trump uses Fox as a temporary employment agency. Duffy is the sixth announced admin pick who works or worked on the network,” Media Affairs for America senior colleague Matthew Gertz said Monday. “Duffy’s transportation experience – outside of the ‘Road Rules’ – includes blaming DEI for Boeing’s ills.”

In a series of social media posts, Yonah Freemark, senior research associate at the Urban Institute’s Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center, said, “I’m having a hard time finding transportation experience for Sean Duffy.”

Freemark emphasized that, based on Duffy’s voting record in Congress, he has a 2% lifetime rating from the League of Conservation Voters — even lower than the group’s 14% rating for Lee Zeldin, the former Republican congressman from New York , whom Trump has chosen to lead. the Environmental Protection Agency.

“He doesn’t seem to believe that climate change is caused by human activity,” Freemark said of Duffy. “(Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US)”

To actually become Secretary of Transportation, Duffy must be confirmed by the Senate, which will be controlled by Republicans — unless Trump follows through on his threats to push Cabinet members through recess appointments.

If The Associated Pressreported on Monday:

The Transportation Department oversees the nation’s complex transportation system, including pipelines, railroads, automobiles, trucks, and transit systems, as well as federal funding for highways.

The department includes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which oversees automakers including Elon Musk’s Tesla. The department sets fuel economy standards for cars and trucks and regulates the aviation industry through the Federal Aviation Administration, one of its agencies.

Musk, the world’s richest person, has poured significant resources into Trump’s election and has been seen with him many times since Election Day. The president-elect announced last week that Musk will lead the yet-to-be-created Department of Government Efficiency along with fellow billionaire and campaign backer Vivek Ramaswamy.