An Army veteran and trucking executive, Tom Jacques, has enthusiastically endorsed President Trump’s new “Freedom Haulers” initiative, a plan designed to address critical workforce shortages in the trucking industry by prioritizing military veterans. Jacques, who serves as the director of DOT compliance at Waste Management and chairman of the Pennsylvania Motor Trucking Association, praised the initiative at the White House, highlighting the inherent discipline and dedication of veterans as a perfect fit for the demanding trucking profession. The program aims to streamline the entry of veterans into trucking by allowing those with relevant military experience to waive CDL road-skills tests and, in participating states, potentially the written knowledge test, recognizing their existing training. For veterans without direct truck-driving experience, expedited training programs are also available. Trump emphasized that veteran drivers are involved in 42% fewer accidents, a statistic he noted is conservative despite veterans driving twice the mileage of non-veteran drivers. The initiative directly confronts the issue of unqualified illegal alien truck drivers, whom Trump claims have endangered the public, citing statistics of fatalities and the issuance of commercial driver’s licenses to individuals allegedly unqualified due to language barriers and lack of English proficiency in road signage. “The Trump administration wants safer roads and more jobs for the American veteran,” Trump stated, contrasting this with what he characterized as the “radical left’s” desire for more jobs for illegal aliens in the trucking sector. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy underscored the high earning potential of trucking jobs, noting they range from $80,000 to $100,000+ annually, and highlighted the administrative burden previously faced by veterans needing extensive retraining.
Adapted from: Latest Political News on Fox News
