Sean Duffy Selected as Transportation Secretary in Next Trump Administration
Former congressman and Fox Business host Sean Duffy has been announced as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of transportation. The announcement, made Monday, marks the second time Trump has selected a Fox News personality for a Cabinet position, following last week’s nomination of Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department. Hegseth has since stepped down from his role at Fox News.
In his statement, Trump praised Sean Duffy’s record as a public servant, describing him as “an outstanding and respected leader.” Trump highlighted Duffy’s contributions during his tenure in Congress, highlighting his support for fiscal responsibility, economic growth and rural development.
“Sean’s leadership in Congress has earned him a reputation as a strong advocate for American economic progress,” Trump said. “He will bring the same commitment to improving our nation’s infrastructure, prioritizing safety, efficiency, innovation and ensuring a better travel experience for all Americans. His work will help usher in a new golden era of transportation.”
Trump also highlighted Duffy’s goal of addressing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in aviation, saying his leadership will focus on eliminating such programs for pilots and air traffic controllers to give priority over other safety objectives.
Duffy’s nomination will require Senate confirmation.
Sean Duffy’s career in public service and the media
Sean Duffy, 53, served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019, representing Wisconsin’s 7th district. During his time in Congress, he served on the Financial Services Committee and chaired the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Duffy resigned from his role in Congress in 2019 after announcing that his son would be born with a congenital heart condition, citing the need to focus on his family.
Before entering Congress, Duffy worked as a prosecutor in Ashland, Wisconsin, and later became Ashland County district attorney. His legal career provided him with experience in public service, which he then carried into his work as a legislator.
Sean Duffy first gained national attention in 1997 as a cast member on the MTV reality show “The Real World: Boston.” This first brush with fame introduced him to a wider audience and later led to his marriage to Rachel Campos-Duffy, who was also a cast member of the MTV series “The Real World: San Francisco” in 1994 Campos-Duffy is now a television personality and Fox News contributor.
Most recently, Duffy co-hosted Fox Business Network’s “The Bottom Line with Dagen and Duffy,” where he provided political analysis and insight. Fox News Media confirmed Monday that Duffy will be leaving her position at the network, effective immediately, following the announcement of her Cabinet appointment.
“Sean Duffy has been an invaluable contributor to our programming, offering thoughtful analysis and perspective,” Fox said in a statement.
Focus on infrastructure and innovation
If confirmed, Duffy will lead the Department of Transportation at a critical time as the United States continues to grapple with aging infrastructure and seeks innovative solutions to modern transportation challenges. Trump’s statement highlighted Duffy’s role in rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure and improving the overall travel experience for Americans. The goal, Trump noted, is to create a safer and more efficient transportation system while promoting economic growth.
Duffy’s appointment comes as Trump continues to build a government that reflects his vision for his second term. By focusing on infrastructure, national security and economic reform, Trump’s choices signal his administration’s priorities heading into 2025.
As the Senate prepares to consider Duffy’s nomination, his public service background, legal expertise and recent media experience will likely be points of discussion. His ability to address the complexities of the transportation sector and realize Trump’s vision of a modernized infrastructure will be closely scrutinized.
Duffy’s history as a public figure, from reality TV star to legislator and media personality, reflects a diverse career trajectory. It remains to be seen whether this unique background will resonate with lawmakers and warrant his confirmation. For now, Duffy is poised to play a critical role in shaping the future of America’s transportation system under Trump’s leadership.