Sean Duffy

Secretary of Transportation

Here are some of the investigations or oversight actions that Sean Duffy has been involved in:

  1. Federal Railroad Administration investigation into the California High‑Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA)
    Under Duffy’s direction, the FRA released a compliance review reporting major issues: missed deadlines, budget shortfalls, over-optimistic ridership projections, and a large funding gap. Department of Transportation

    • The report concluded CHSRA “does not have a viable path” to complete the project by its target year. Department of Transportation

    • This is an example of Duffy initiating a high-profile federal oversight/investigation of a major infrastructure project.

  2. Investigation of states over commercial driver licensing & English Language Proficiency (ELP)
    Duffy announced that several states (California, Washington, New Mexico) will lose federal funding unless they comply with driver safety rules (ELP). FMCSA

    • This investigation is more regulatory/enforcement rather than a “scandal investigation,” but shows Duffy exercising oversight authority.

  3. Investigation of the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) in North Carolina
    Duffy, via the Federal Transit Administration, launched a review of CATS’s security spending and transit worker safety in response to a tragic incident. Federal Transit Administration

  4. Oversight of air-traffic controller absenteeism during the shutdown
    Duffy stated that his department would investigate air-traffic controllers who called in sick before they missed pay during a federal shutdown, citing concerns about “dedication” and “patriotism.” Business Insider+1

  5. Letter by a U.S. Representative regarding the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
    A letter addressed to Duffy (who is acting administrator of NASA) asked for a halt to relocation/closure of labs at Goddard and requested an investigation by the NASA Office of Inspector General. WBAL Baltimore News

Areas of Concern or Criticism

  • Some outlets have raised concerns regarding Duffy’s stock sales just before major tariff announcements, raising questions about conflicts of interest or possible insider trading. The Daily Beast

  • His oversight style has been described as aggressive, particularly toward state agencies and infrastructure entities, which has drawn criticism.