The Trump administration is threatening to withhold $75 million in federal funding from Pennsylvania after a suspected Uzbek terrorist was caught driving a commercial truck with an illegally issued state license, exposing dangerous gaps in Biden-era immigration enforcement.
Story Highlights
- Pennsylvania faces $75 million federal funding cut over the CDL scandal involving a terror suspect.
- Uzbek national Akhror Bozorov obtained a Pennsylvania CDL despite an illegal immigration status.
- Federal review finds Pennsylvania illegally issued licenses without verifying legal presence.
- The Trump administration demands an immediate halt to the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs and a comprehensive audit.
Federal Crackdown on Illegal CDL Practices
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that Pennsylvania violated federal safety regulations by issuing commercial driver’s licenses to ineligible foreigners without proper verification.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration review discovered that Pennsylvania failed to require proof of lawful presence before issuing CDLs and granted licenses with expiration dates beyond recipients’ authorized stays. This reckless approach allowed dangerous individuals like Bozorov to operate 40-ton vehicles on American highways, creating serious national security risks that should never have occurred.
SCOOP: The Trump administration is taking on yet another blue state for issuing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.
Transportation @SecDuffy has threatened to withhold $75 million in federal funding from Pennsylvania if the state refuses to stop handing out… pic.twitter.com/Xaw0LIUMeV
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) November 20, 2025
Terror Suspect Exposes System Failures
Akhror Bozorov’s case illustrates the catastrophic consequences of lax immigration enforcement under the previous administration. The Uzbek national obtained his Pennsylvania CDL as recently as July despite being in the country illegally, highlighting systemic failures in state verification processes.
Pennsylvania officials scrambled to deflect blame, with Governor Josh Shapiro attempting to pin the blame on the Trump administration for database issues. However, the fundamental responsibility lies with Pennsylvania’s decision to issue licenses without proper vetting, creating vulnerabilities that terrorists and criminals could exploit.
Swift Federal Response Demands Accountability
The Trump administration’s decisive action demonstrates renewed commitment to border security and public safety. Pennsylvania must immediately halt all new non-domiciled CDL issuance and conduct comprehensive audits to identify wrongfully issued licenses.
State officials must void noncompliant licenses and remove unqualified drivers from roads to maintain federal funding. This accountability measure represents exactly the kind of enforcement conservatives have demanded, ensuring states cannot ignore federal immigration laws without consequences while protecting American communities from preventable security threats.
Republican Leaders Demand Investigation
Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers are calling for comprehensive investigations into the state’s licensing failures. State Senator Jarrett Coleman described the situation as “stonewalling” that endangers public safety, while House Minority Leader Jesse Topper called Bozorov’s ability to obtain both REAL ID and CDL credentials “egregious.”
Their demands for accountability reflect growing conservative frustration with Democratic officials who prioritize political correctness over citizen safety. The Trump administration’s coordinated efforts with DHS and local police at weigh stations to vet foreign truck drivers demonstrate the comprehensive approach needed to address these security gaps.
