The leaders of the FMCSA and the DOT are offering conflicting messages during this Truck Driver Appreciation Week.
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week started Sunday, September 13th and will continue through Saturday, September 19th. The intention of the week-long tribute is to offer truckers the thanks they deserve, but Transportation Secretary Duffy may have missed the memo. In an interview with Will Cain of Fox News posted on Monday, Duffy leaned into the idea that truck drivers will soon by replaced by autonomous rigs.
“Give me the five, ten year picture on how we’re moving… Do we have truck drivers, or is it automated?” Duffy is asked during the interview.
“So listen, I love our truck drivers, but you’re going to see automation come in…..” Duffy responded.
“But I want to make sure we preserve those jobs in conjunction with, I think autonomy [sic] works with some truck driving [sic], it doesn’t work other truck driving [sic]. You’re going to see autonomous vehicles come online… you’re going to see more drone deliveries.”
Meanwhile, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator Derek Barrs took to the internet to offer thanks for all that truck drivers do for the country.
Barrs calls this week a “time to recognize the millions of professional men and women who keep America moving — delivering the goods, supplies, and resources we all depend on. Day after day and mile after mile, professional drivers put safety, reliability, and efficiency at the forefront.”
“Whether you host an event, spotlight a driver on social media, or simply share a message of appreciation with the drivers in your network, your voice helps carry that recognition further,” Barrs said.
Duffy also took to Twitter to post an AI video depicting some tragic dash cam videos on billboards as a trucker navigates fraud within the industry.
“DOT and FMCSA will never stop our fight to crack down on fraud, revoke illegal CDLs, and put the power back behind the wheels of AMERICANS driving the BIG RIGS,” he wrote.
“This Trucker Appreciation Week, we stand with the true patriots who keep America moving.”
LET’S MAKE TRUCKING GREAT AGAIN 🇺🇸
This Trucker Appreciation Week, we stand with the true patriots who keep America moving @USDOT & @FMCSA will never stop our fight to crack down on fraud, revoke illegal CDLs, and put the power back behind the wheels of AMERICANS driving the… pic.twitter.com/Itv8rB34W3
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) September 14, 2026
