During this period, the Department of Transportation under Sean Duffy faced a legal challenge over its data access practices. A coalition of 22 states filed lawsuits seeking to urgently block the DOT and its sub-agencies from accessing a state-owned database containing personal information of 17 million commercial drivers. The states allege the federal government unlawfully demanded the records under threat of funding cuts and a subpoena, violating privacy laws. The Trump administration claims the move is aimed at identifying unsafe or illegal immigrant drivers.
- A coalition of 22 states sued the DOT, seeking an emergency order to block its access to a state-owned database with personal data of 17 million truckers.
- The states allege the federal government unlawfully demanded the records under threat of cutting $10 million in funding and a subpoena, violating privacy laws and the Administrative Procedure Act.
- The Trump administration responded that it needs the data to identify unsafe or illegal immigrant drivers, having already revoked over 30,000 licenses based on such information.