California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office faced criticism this week after an illegal alien, who obtained a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in California, was charged in a Florida crash that left three people dead.
The incident occurred on Florida’s Turnpike when the driver, identified as Harjinder Singh, made an illegal U-turn in front of another vehicle.
Authorities said the maneuver resulted in a collision that killed three Americans.
Singh was arrested and charged with three counts of vehicular homicide.
Witnesses said Singh showed little visible reaction after exiting the 18-wheeler and observing the wreckage, which included the victims’ car reduced to mangled metal.
The White House press office addressed the case on X, writing: “This individual is an illegal immigrant who was granted a commercial driver’s license by the State of California — and now, three innocent people are dead.”
This individual is an illegal immigrant who was granted a commercial driver’s license by the State of California — and now, three innocent people are dead.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 17, 2025
He has been arrested for vehicular homicide and an ICE detainer has been issued. https://t.co/6NkliBDdSl
The statement prompted a public back-and-forth between the White House and Newsom’s office.
Newsom’s press team responded with a graphic post attempting to shift responsibility.
The post noted that Singh entered the United States in 2018, during the Trump administration, and cited California state law that prohibits illegal aliens from obtaining commercial driver’s licenses.
The graphic included the message: “Research consistently shows that issuing driver’s licenses for undocumented people improves public safety.”
It was accompanied by pop art-style imagery, including the phrase “Yikes.”
The post also asked, “Who was the President in 2018?”
.@grok who was President in 2018? https://t.co/pQsOuzjc0G pic.twitter.com/cAraBW8fno
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 17, 2025
The White House press team countered by thanking Newsom’s office for what it described as an admission that California’s policies had failed.
“Admitting California ignored their own law when they gave this criminal illegal immigrant scumbag a [Commercial Driver’s License] CDL,” the Trump administration’s press office responded.
We appreciate Newsom's office admitting California ignored their own law when they gave this criminal illegal immigrant scumbag a CDL. https://t.co/RhhPYCLxM1 pic.twitter.com/lKeOzcZkiB
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 17, 2025
Questions remain about how Singh obtained the license in California despite the state’s official prohibition on issuing CDLs to individuals without legal immigration status.
California law allows standard driver’s licenses to be issued to illegal aliens but explicitly excludes commercial driving credentials.
Critics pointed to the fact that Newsom served as lieutenant governor in 2018, the same year Singh entered the country, before taking office as governor in 2019.
That timeline has fueled speculation about whether Singh obtained his CDL during Newsom’s tenure as governor.
The crash in Florida has also renewed broader debate over sanctuary state policies and the issuing of licenses to illegal aliens.
Supporters of California’s policies argue that allowing illegal aliens to obtain licenses increases road safety by ensuring they are tested and insured.
Opponents contend that granting any licenses to those in the country illegally undermines federal immigration law and increases public safety risks.
Authorities in Florida continue to investigate the crash while Singh remains in custody on vehicular homicide charges. The names of the three victims have not yet been released.
California officials have not provided further details on Singh’s licensing history or explained how he was granted a CDL in light of state restrictions.
Newsom’s office has not indicated whether the state will review its licensing procedures following the incident.
The debate between the White House and Newsom’s office highlights ongoing political clashes over immigration enforcement, state sanctuary laws, and public safety concerns tied to illegal aliens operating on U.S. roads.
