President-elect Donald Trump announced on Monday that he has chosen former Congressman Sean Duffy to be the next Secretary of the Department of Transportation. Duffy, who represented Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District from 2011 to 2019, most recently co-hosted The Bottom Line on Fox Business. He had joined Fox News as a contributor in 2020. His final day with the network was Monday, and he had an interview for the transportation secretary position later that week, according to sources.
In a statement, Trump praised Duffy as a “tremendous and well-liked public servant” and commended his ability as a respected leader within the Republican Party. Trump highlighted Duffy’s dedication to improving U.S. infrastructure, with a focus on rebuilding roads, bridges, and airports. He also emphasized Duffy’s commitment to ensuring national security and safety, particularly in transportation sectors like aviation, while vowing to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies for pilots and air traffic controllers.
While Duffy has a background in financial oversight and investigations from his time on the House Financial Services Committee, he lacks direct experience in transportation policy. If confirmed by the Senate, he will oversee projects involving companies like those owned by Elon Musk, a close Trump ally. Musk’s companies, which have significant federal contracts, will likely fall under Duffy’s purview if he assumes the role of transportation secretary.
The incoming leader of the Department of Transportation will face several critical issues, particularly in aviation safety. One of the key challenges includes addressing ongoing quality control and manufacturing problems at Boeing. Additionally, the department will need to navigate threats of labor strikes from airline unions, as well as tackle climate-related initiatives such as the promotion of electric vehicles and the development of charging infrastructure.
The Department of Transportation, which was founded in 1966, employs nearly 55,000 people and plays a central role in ensuring safety, sustainability, and efficiency across all modes of transportation in the United States.
If confirmed, Duffy will succeed Pete Buttigieg, who has led the department since February 2021. Elaine Chao previously served as transportation secretary during Trump’s first term but resigned following the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.
Duffy, before his political career, gained national attention as a cast member on MTV’s The Real World: Boston in 1997. He later appeared on Road Rules: All Stars, where he met his future wife, Rachel Campos, another MTV personality from The Real World: San Francisco. Campos-Duffy is now a co-host on Fox & Friends Weekend. She worked closely with Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for defense secretary.
Duffy resigned from Congress in 2019 to spend more time with his family ahead of the birth of his ninth child, following complications with his wife’s pregnancy. During his time in Congress, Duffy introduced a bill aimed at expanding Trump’s ability to impose tariffs, a measure that was not supported by his Republican colleagues but was praised by Trump.
Before entering politics, Duffy served as district attorney for Ashland County, Wisconsin, from 2002 to 2008. He also had a career as a professional lumberjack athlete and worked as a color commentator for ESPN.