Sean Duffy says blue states that ‘can’t comply with federal law’ on immigration and DEI face certain repercussions

Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy asked Thursday on Fox Business why “federal tax dollars” should go to Democrat-led states if they aren’t willing to “comply with federal law.”

Democrats have pushed back against President Donald Trump’s efforts to crack down on illegal migrants, with some filing lawsuits over his executive orders. While on “The Bottom Line,” co-host Dagen McDowell asked Duffy about his recent comments warning states that failure to comply with federal immigration and DEI laws could lead to consequences.

“Well, put up the map and look at the blue states, Dagen. We’re talking billions of dollars, right? So, again, if you’re not going to cooperate with ICE, if you have DEI policies where you’re going to discriminate against a certain class of people within your state, even if you give a driver’s license to illegals, we’re going to look and say, ‘Hey, you know what? If you can’t comply with federal law, why are federal tax dollars going to go and fund your infrastructure?’” Duffy asked.

“Again, hopefully, this will incentivize those states to get in line with common sense American principles and policies, which the president has laid out. If they do, they don’t have a problem,” Duffy added. “But if they don’t comply, we’re not going to approve their grants and the flow of billions of dollars into their states.”

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In a statement released Thursday, Duffy reminded “all recipients of federal transportation funding” that “non-compliance” from states — specifically on immigration and DEI — “may lead to enforcement actions” involving their transportation needs.

Duffy was then asked about further repercussions beyond funding.

“Again, there’s one option where you can say we’re not going to send you these dollars if you have these policies. That’s not what we’re doing,” Duffy said. “We’re saying we’re going to give you all the money that you’ve requested or you’re entitled to or the grant projects that are really good for the roads and bridges or trains in your community. You just have to certify that your state actually matches up with federal law.”

This month, 19 Democrat-led states filed a lawsuit against Trump’s executive order requiring proof of citizenship to vote, alleging the president is attempting to “seize control of elections” in an unconstitutional manner. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly stepped in, blocking certain provisions — including one that would have required federal voter registration forms to be updated to indicate proof of citizenship.

Duffy went on to say he believes many of the states in question will have to choose whether they care more “about illegal immigrants and fighting ICE” than fixing their “roads and bridges.”

“Our department is massive. We do airports. We do roads, bridges, trains, ports, pipelines. It’s a massive space,” Duffy said. “So they’re going to be confronted with the choice. Do they want to get in line, or do they want cash for projects?”

“Again, I think that the ideology that they have in these liberal states, they might forgo the money. I don’t think it makes sense,” Duffy added. “I think their constituents will be angry. But, again, they have that choice to make politically. What do they want to do?”

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