Florida Truck Crash Involving Indian Driver Fuels Clash Between Trump Administration and California Governor

A truck crash in Florida that killed three has sparked a political battle between the Trump administration and California Governor Gavin Newsom. The driver, Indian national Harjinder Singh, allegedly undocumented, held a California commercial license. DHS and the White House blamed “sanctuary state” policies, while Newsom noted Singh entered under Trump’s presidency.

A fatal truck crash in Florida that killed three people has escalated into a political feud between the Trump administration and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Authorities said the semi-truck driver, identified as Harjinder Singh, an Indian national allegedly living in the US without legal status, attempted an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike. The maneuver caused the truck to jackknife and collide with a minivan, leaving three dead.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) condemned the incident, blaming California for granting Singh a commercial driver’s license despite his immigration status. In a statement on X, DHS said, “Three innocent people were killed in Florida because Gavin Newsom’s California DMV issued an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License.” The department vowed to continue working “around the clock” to remove criminal undocumented immigrants.

The White House also weighed in, calling Singh’s case an example of “reckless sanctuary state policies” that endangered Americans. The administration directly attacked Newsom, accusing him of prioritizing undocumented immigrants over public safety.

However, Newsom’s office countered by pointing out that Singh entered the US in September 2018, during Trump’s own presidency. Singh had been detained by Border Patrol, placed in expedited deportation proceedings, and later released on bond after claiming fear of returning to India. His immigration case has been ongoing ever since.

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The California governor’s office argued that issuing driver’s licenses to undocumented residents improves road safety by ensuring training and insurance. But critics insist that the policy enabled Singh to operate a commercial vehicle that led to the Florida tragedy.

The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed the crash occurred when Singh attempted a U-turn in a restricted section of the highway, causing the deadly collision.

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