Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary, Faces Protests at California High-Speed Rail Project announcement
Sean Duffy of the U.S. Department of Transportation faced loud opposition in California during a recent news conference regarding California’s controversial project for high-speed trains. This event brought to light the growing tensions over the project’s increasing costs, revised scope and long timeline.
This is the context: The Presidential Review of California High-Speed Rail
Donald Trump is a critic who has raised concerns over the financial management of California’s high-speed rail project. He also expressed concern about its viability. In a recent interview with reporters, President Donald Trump described the California high-speed rail project as the “worst managed project” he had ever witnessed. Further, the President questioned how much money was being spent on this project and its reduced scope. This could be a sign of a possible federal investigation. It is the focus of this investigation to identify waste and poor management within California High Speed Rail Authority, which oversees construction.
Aviation issues are also being examined during Secretary Duffy’s tenure as Secretary of Transportation at the Department of Transportation. This is separate from high speed rail projects.
Sean Duffy’s Press Conference is Met with Protests
A local press conference was held on Thursday by officials to announce the investigation of the high-speed railway project. The event, however, was interrupted by protesters who expressed their dissatisfaction with the process as well as the project. Kevin Kiley, Republican congressman and former Twitter user, shared that the protesters were heard chanting during the entire event. Vince Fong, a Republican congressman who spoke at the same conference as Kevin Kiley did in the face of similar protests and disruptions.
The high-speed rail has been branded an embarrassment to the state by critics who have condemned what they call a disregard for responsible spending of tax dollars and taxpayer resources.
Add to the controversy: Assemblywoman Alexandra Macedo, a Republican from California, has introduced legislation that would redirect money currently allocated for high-speed rail projects to critical infrastructure initiatives such as water and wildfire protection, allowing funds to be redirected to other regions in need.
Today I announced, along with Sean Duffy of the U.S. Department of Transportation, an investigation on CA High-Speed Rail that could recoup $4.3 Billion in federal funding. Amusingly, there were a handful of protestors who showed up to support the boondoggle.
The High-Speed Rail disaster is the worst… pic.twitter.com/0sHYSVjCJc
— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) February 20, 2025
During the press conference, Secretary Duffy directly addressed the protesters, stating, “I think they were chanting ‘Build the rail’? There have been 16 years of spending $16 billion on high-speed trains and still no rails. Go to the governor’s mansion if that is where you would like to demonstrate and shout. Talk to Democrats from the Legislature who are responsible for this project.”
The rail project is a waste of $16B in taxpayer funds over the past decade with no result. They should shout their anger at Democrats and Governor Newsom who are complicit in this waste and fraud for a rail project that will never work. @USDOT will… pic.twitter.com/KsXKhYczll
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 20, 2025
Divergent perspectives on the Project: A matter of public debate
The California High-Speed Rail Project has sparked strong opinions among various stakeholders.
Secretary Duffy on Thursday via X: What should angry protestors ask? Who did not build the rail? Who made money from the project? “Which politician’s spouse made money off this project?”
Chris D. Jackson (Democrat from Tennessee) via X, Thursday. Sean Duffy, the Transportation Secretary of California went there today to take a picture against a federal-state high-speed rail plan. Instead, he was drowned out by massive protests—boos echoing as crowds rallied for the project. “Maybe he should concentrate on maintaining planes in flight instead of staging protests.”
On Thursday, California Republican Congressman Vince Fong was contacted via X. The Central Valley has been witness to mismanagement and the failures of California High Speed Rail Authority. Californians have not been told the truth about what’s happening. This is a total bait-and-switch. This failed project needs to stop and we need to focus on more pressing priorities in our region – water storage, forest management, rural roads and supply chain infrastructure.”
The Federal Review on the California High Speed Rail Authority
The DOT responded to recent events by announcing that Secretary Duffy ordered a formal comprehensive review of the California High Speed Rail Authority to see if it had “met their obligations”. In this process, the California High Speed Rail Authority will be examined and their construction of a proposed high-speed line connecting Los Angeles with San Francisco.