In-town pool report #5: More details from Freedom Haulers event.

POTUS detailed the Freedom Haulers program, saying "any American who has driven a heavy truck for our military will automatically be eligible for a commercial driver's license, and it's good-paying jobs too. Any veteran with a heavy vehicle experience from the military will now be eligible to skip redundant road tests to obtain a commercial driver's license."

For veterans without truck driving experience "they're going to be given a very quick pass. We're going to teach them....and they'll be licensed in a matter of a few weeks."

POTUS said 34 states have joined the initiative so far. He concluded by saying, "The radical left wants more jobs for illegal aliens and more migrants in 18-wheelers, and Trump administration wants safer roads and more jobs for the American veteran."

POTUS was followed by remarks from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, VA Secretary Doug Collins and Werner President Nathan J. Meisgeier, who said Werner was committing to hire 1,400 veterans in the coming year.

The event wrapped up with remarks from trucker Ricky Washington, a veteran of the US Army and Army National Guard.

"Serving this nation was an honor, but when the time came to take the uniform off, I faced the question veterans confront. How do I continue serving?" he said. "For me, the answer was on the open road. Transition from military life behind the wheel of a commercial truck has brought a renewed sense of mission for me. Veterans make exceptional truck drivers because they have the core values of the military aligned seamlessly with the trucking industry. We're disciplined, we are vigilant, we're adaptable, and with unwaivable commitment to getting the job done safely and on time.

The event was streamed by the White House and aired on C-SPAN. Attached is an Otter of the event.

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Jim Puzzanghera

Washington Bureau

The Boston Globe