Nov. 18 (UPI) — President-elect Donald Trump on Monday announced he was nominating former congressman Sean Duffy to be the next secretary of the Department of Transportation, marking the latest Fox News contributor to join the former president’s incoming cabinet.
Duffy represented Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District from 2010 to 2019. After leaving the House of Representatives, he joined Fox News, appearing in numerous programs, including co-hosting Fox Business Network’s The Bottom Line.
If confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate, Duffy will oversee the planning and coordination of federal transportation projects, as well as set safety regulations for all modes of transportation in the United States.
In a statement, Trump described Duffy as “a tremendous and well-liked public servant” who advocates for fiscal responsibility, economic growth and rural development.
“He will prioritize Excellence, Competence, Competitiveness and Beauty when rebuilding America’s highways, tunnels, bridges and airports,” Trump said. “He will ensure our ports and dams serve our Economy without compromising our National Security, and he will make our skies safe again by eliminating DEI for pilots and air traffic controllers.”
DEI stands for diversity, equity and inclusion, often representing policies that promote inclusion in the workplace. A number of companies — including Boeing, Microsoft, Ford, Lowe’s and Harley Davidson — have abandoned DEI due to “changing business needs.”
Prior to joining the House of Representatives, Duffy served as the district attorney for Ashland County starting in 2002. Like Trump, who was the host of the television show The Apprentice, Duffy was a reality TV star, having been a cast member of 1997’s The Real World, according to IMDB.
“Thank you, Mr. President,” Duffy said in a brief statement published to X. “I’m eager to help you usher in a new golden age of transportation.”
With nominating Duffy, Trump has again turned to the shelves of the conservative news channel to fill out his incoming administration, nominating several Fox News anchors and contributors to key positions.
Trump nominated Fox News host Pete Hegseth to head the Department of Defense, attracting wide criticism over the Army veteran’s lack of military leadership experience. Since his nomination, other concerns have been raised, including his settlement with a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017.
Thomas Homan, Trump’s pick to be the so-called border czar, was a Fox News contributor since 2018. Other nominees and appointees, including Rep. Mike Waltz, Trump’s choice for national security adviser, have made frequent appearances on the conservative network.
In a statement emailed to UPI, Fox News confirmed that Duffy’s last day on the network was Tuesday.
“As Duffy departs FOX News Media effective today, we wish him the best of luck in his return to Washington,” it said.
