NEW YORK (AP) — Just hours after being sworn in, Sean Duffy, the newly appointed Transportation Secretary, is confronting a significant crisis. Duffy, confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday, has quickly become the public face of the federal government’s response to the tragic plane crash at Reagan National Airport, the airport closest to Washington, D.C. On Wednesday night, an Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members as it was landing, causing it to plunge into the icy Potomac River. The incident is feared to have resulted in fatalities for everyone on board, potentially marking it as the deadliest U.S. air crash in decades.
President Trump addressed the nation alongside Sean Duffy during a White House briefing on Thursday, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. “Our new Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy — his second day on the job when that happened. That’s a rough one,” Trump stated. He further added, referring to Duffy, “Great gentleman. Just started. It’s not your fault.” This public endorsement underscores the immediate pressure and visibility Duffy faces in his new role overseeing the nation’s transportation infrastructure.
Duffy’s Immediate Response to the Airport Tragedy
From the outset of this crisis, Sean Duffy has been actively involved. He was present at airport briefings alongside Washington D.C.’s mayor and other local officials throughout the night and early Thursday, taking the lead in representing the administration’s response. His presence extended to the White House briefing room on Thursday, where he stood with President Trump. During the briefing, President Trump offered condolences to the victims and spoke of the tragedy, while also introducing politically charged statements that he admitted were not factually substantiated.
Duffy’s initial comments focused on praising President Trump, stating that his “leadership has been remarkable during this crisis.” He also reassured the families of the victims of his commitment to a swift and thorough investigation into the causes of the crash.
While Duffy avoided directly repeating Trump’s unsubstantiated claims linking diversity hiring and lowered standards to the accident, he also did not contradict them. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. However, Duffy emphasized a commitment to safety and reform, stating, “When we deal with safety, we can only accept the best and the brightest in positions of safety that impact the lives of our loved ones, our family members. We are going to take responsibility at the Department of Transportation and the FAA, to make sure we have the reforms that have been dictated by President Trump in place to make sure that these mistakes do not happen again.” This statement highlights the early focus of Sean Duffy’s transportation department on safety and adherence to the President’s directives.
From Reality TV to Transportation Leadership: Sean Duffy’s Background
Sean Duffy’s path to becoming Transportation Secretary is unconventional. Before entering the realm of public service, Duffy gained public recognition as a reality TV personality, lumberjack athlete, and later served as a prosecutor and a U.S. Congressman representing Wisconsin.
His initial foray into the public eye was on MTV’s “The Real World: Boston” in 1997. It was during his reality TV tenure that he met his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekend,” on the set of MTV’s “Road Rules: All Stars” in 1998. Transitioning from entertainment, Duffy pursued a career in law, working as a special prosecutor and later as the district attorney of Ashland County in northern Wisconsin. His political career began with his election to Congress in 2010, riding the wave of the tea party movement.
Representative Tom Tiffany, Duffy’s successor in Congress, recalled knowing Duffy from his lumberjack days in the 1990s, long before either entered politics. Tiffany commented on Duffy’s new role, “He’s got a big job ahead of him here. It’s jumping right into the frying pan with a situation like this.” This sentiment reflects the challenging circumstances Sean Duffy faces immediately upon assuming leadership of the Department of Transportation.
A Nine-Year Tenure in Congress
Despite being considered an underdog when he first campaigned for Congress, Sean Duffy successfully captured national attention with campaign advertisements showcasing his lumberjack skills. These ads featured him chopping wood while wearing a red flannel shirt, effectively communicating his working-class background and determination to “bring his axe to Washington.”
Duffy served in the House of Representatives for nearly nine years. His committee assignments included the Financial Services Committee, where he also chaired the subcommittee on insurance and housing. This experience in financial oversight and housing policy provides a foundation for his broader responsibilities in transportation and infrastructure.
Defender on Fox News
After leaving Congress in 2019, citing family reasons, Duffy became a prominent contributor on Fox News and a staunch defender of President Trump on cable television. He co-hosted “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business before being selected for his cabinet position. His media presence and advocacy for Trump align him with other Fox personalities appointed to the administration, such as Pete Hegseth, the new Secretary of Defense.
Family Man and Approach to Leadership
Sean Duffy is a father of nine children. President Trump, in announcing Duffy’s appointment, noted, “Sean knows how important it is for families to be able to travel safely, and with peace of mind.” This emphasis on family safety resonates with Duffy’s personal life and is likely to influence his approach to transportation policy.
Mark Graul, a Republican operative from Wisconsin who has known Duffy for over 25 years, believes Duffy’s large family will foster empathy for the crash victims’ families. “When you have the size of family he has, empathy is part of the process there,” Graul stated. “He’s going to want to bring certainty to everyone who is hurting from this.”
Graul described Duffy as “an incredibly decent person” and “very approachable,” qualities that will be beneficial as he navigates the current crisis. He further added, “His family is the center of his universe and more than most politicians he cares a great deal about being successful. He doesn’t want to just do things to get attention. He likes having success.” This suggests a leadership style focused on genuine achievement and public service.
Overseeing a Vast Transportation System
As Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy now heads a sprawling agency responsible for the nation’s extensive and aging transportation network. This includes highways, railroads, and airspace. The Department of Transportation sets critical safety standards for various modes of transport, including trains, cars, and trucks.
The department’s responsibilities extend to regulating the airline industry through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an agency currently facing challenges related to air traffic controller shortages. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), also part of the department, regulates automakers and sets fuel economy standards.
In his announcement, President Trump stated Duffy would “prioritize Excellence, Competence, Competitiveness and Beauty when rebuilding America’s highways, tunnels, bridges and airports” and would “make our skies safe again by eliminating DEI for pilots and air traffic controllers.” Trump’s emphasis on “DEI,” referring to “diversity, equity and inclusion” programs, indicates a policy direction that Duffy is expected to implement within the department.
In his first official action as Secretary of Transportation, Duffy rolled back fuel mileage standards previously established by the Biden administration, signaling an immediate shift in policy direction under his leadership.
Confirmation Hearing and Policy Priorities
During his confirmation hearing earlier this month, Sean Duffy addressed various critical transportation issues. He pledged to closely examine Boeing’s safety concerns and work towards “restore global confidence” in the company. He also committed to addressing the shortage of air traffic controllers by increasing hiring within the FAA. Notably, the aircraft involved in the recent collision was a CRJ-700 manufactured by Bombardier, a Canada-based company.
Duffy further stated his intention to eliminate DEI programs within the Department of Transportation and to establish federal regulations for self-driving cars. This federal approach to autonomous vehicles is a key priority for Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is involved in President Trump’s government efficiency initiatives. Duffy assured lawmakers that he would maintain impartiality in ongoing agency investigations into Tesla’s safety record.
His confirmation was ultimately secured with bipartisan support, passing with a 77-22 vote. Sean Duffy’s swift entry into a major crisis as Transportation Secretary highlights the immediate challenges and scrutiny he will face in this crucial role.
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Associated Press writer Scott Bauer contributed to this report from Madison, Wisconsin.
