Donald Trump launches Freedom Haulers veteran trucking initiative

Freedom Haulers veteran truck drivers CDL waiver extension immigrant driver removals Werner Enterprises hiring

President Donald Trump announced the “Freedom Haulers” initiative, a federal program that will accelerate the recruitment of U.S. military veterans into commercial trucking. The plan expands the Military Skills Test Waiver, extending the eligibility window from 12 months to 24 months after active‑duty service, and allows veterans who drove heavy military vehicles to skip the CDL road test if they apply within two years of discharge. Veterans without prior truck‑driving experience can receive accelerated training, with tuition covered up to 100 % by the GI Bill.

The initiative also intensifies enforcement against immigrant drivers. The Department of Transportation reported that more than 24,000 commercial driver’s licences held by non‑English‑speaking drivers have been removed and that over 28,000 licences issued to undocumented immigrants have been cancelled. As of the announcement, 34 states have joined the Even Exchange program that facilitates the veteran‑to‑CDL transition. Werner Enterprises pledged to hire 1,400 new veteran drivers under the program.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and White House spokesperson Anna Kelly highlighted the goal of improving road safety and creating well‑paying jobs for veterans while reducing what the administration describes as unsafe, illegal‑alien drivers on U.S. highways.

Entities: American Trucking Association · Department of Transportation · Donald Trump · Even Exchange Program · Freedom Haulers · Freedom Haulers program · Sean Duffy · U.S. Department of Transportation · Werner Enterprises

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 13 SOURCES] The Department of Transportation removed more than 24,000 CDL holders who failed English‑language proficiency tests and cancelled over 28,000 licenses issued to illegal‑alien drivers. (multiple)
[● 13 SOURCES] President Donald Trump claimed illegal‑alien truck drivers caused at least 30 deaths in the United States over the past year. (Alleged death toll)
[● 13 SOURCES] Indiana and Wyoming joined the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Even Exchange program to ease veteran CDL conversion. (multiple)
[● 6 SOURCES] President Donald Trump announced the Freedom Haulers initiative on July 30, 2026 to move veterans into commercial trucking. (a0d4e334-922c-48b5-b257-d79b823adf5e, fd5a2be3-2de9-48a4-870e-a3b9758bc18f, 8bbd9900-a391-4182-80db-cc1a04e67ea7, 755a0…)
[● 10 SOURCES] Werner Enterprises announced it will hire 1,400 new veteran drivers. (multiple)
[● 13 SOURCES] The program lets veterans obtain an expedited commercial driver’s license within two years of discharge and covers training costs through the GI Bill. (multiple)
[● 2 SOURCES] Social‑media commentators criticised the plan, questioning road safety and the speed of veteran training.
[● 13 SOURCES] Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said trucking jobs under the Freedom Haulers program can pay up to six figures. (multiple)
[● 17 SOURCES] President Donald Trump announced the Freedom Haulers initiative on July 30, 2026. (a0d4e334-922c-48b5-b257-d79b823adf5e, 6ba44e39-9fa8-4ecf-b477-6ea11d535107, 5a00b53d-9d89-49e0-9ac0-7138dd93533d)
[● 3 SOURCES] The Even Exchange program now includes 34 states after seven new states joined. (5a00b53d-9d89-49e0-9ac0-7138dd93533d, a0d4e334-922c-48b5-b257-d79b823adf5e, fd5a2be3-2de9-48a4-870e-a3b9758bc18f)
[● 2 SOURCES] The Freedom Haulers initiative expands the Military Skills Test Waiver from 12 to 24 months after discharge. (multiple)
[● 3 SOURCES] The Freedom Haulers program was announced on July 30, 2026 at a White House ceremony. (multiple)