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US states litigation over commercial driver data access

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2026-08-16 09:46 UTC → 2026-08-22 02:28 UTC · added removed

A legal conflict has emerged between the Trump administration and a coalition of approximately 22 states and the District of Columbia regarding access to the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS). The states filed lawsuits to block the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from accessing sensitive personal data of roughly 17 million commercial drivers, including Social Security numbers and dates of birth. The administration maintains the data is necessary for the “Freedom Haulers” initiative, a program intended to identify unqualified or undocumented truck drivers and expand licensing for American veterans. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated the multi-agency effort aims to bolster the trucking industry and improve road safety. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy defended the move as essential for road safety, while the administration threatened to withhold over $10 million in federal funding from the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) if they did not comply. In response to the litigation, a federal judge U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga issued an administrative stay and a temporary restraining order blocking the DHS and other agencies from obtaining the records. Judge Anthony Trenga The court ordered the DHS to immediately return subpoenaed documents and prohibited the agency from inspecting the records while a motion to quash the subpoenas is considered. The states, led by Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones, argue the federal government lacks legal authority for such extensive data collection and that the move violates privacy protections, including the Driver's Privacy Protection Act. The court order also prevents the administration from terminating the threatened $10 million in federal funding to the AAMVA.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-22 02:28 UTC US states litigation over commercial driver data access
  2. 2026-08-16 09:46 UTC US states litigation over commercial driver data access

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