Facts Matter — The Epoch Times

Episode: 9,500 Truckers Booted for Not Speaking English; $30M Awarded to Estate of Teen Killed in Seattle CHOP Zone
Host: Roman
Date: February 13, 2026

Overview

In this episode, host Roman presents a roundup of several major—yet underreported—stories from across the United States, each touching on significant themes of governance, accountability, and public safety. Main topics include:

1. New English-only driver’s license testing in Florida and federal enforcement on commercial truckers’ language proficiency
2. A $30 million jury verdict against the City of Seattle over its handling of the 2020 CHOP zone and the death of a 16-year-old
3. The conviction and sentencing of Ryan Ruth, the would-be Trump assassin
4. Mention of a new documentary on Charlie Kirk and the use of labels against public figures

Roman maintains a facts-focused, direct tone, supporting assertions with quotes from officials and court documents. The episode is journalistic and avoids editorializing.

1. Florida Moves to English-Only License Testing & Federal Trucking Crackdown

[00:00 – 14:45]

Key Points

• Florida mandates all driver’s license (including CDL) tests to be administered in English only, starting Feb 6.
  • Before, tests could be taken in Arabic, Chinese, Creole, Spanish, and Russian.
  • No more language translation services or non-English printed exams.
• Follows Federal Policy Shift
  • President Trump signed 2 executive orders in 2025:
    • One designating English as the official U.S. language.
    • One ordering immediate removal of commercial drivers unable to pass English proficiency.
  • Previously under Obama-era rules, non-English-speaking commercial drivers only got citations rather than being taken off the road.
• Illustrative Case:
  • "Indian national Harjinder Singh was accused of killing three people after making an illegal U-turn in a semi truck... Singh, who was in the United States illegally, failed an English exam, answered only two of twelve questions correctly and could identify just one of four road signs." ([06:40])
  • Despite this, Singh was still issued CDLs in WA (2023) and CA (2024).
• Enforcement Results:
  • "Between May and December of last year, 9,500 commercial truck drivers wound up getting booted from service because they failed one of these English tests." ([08:57])
  • Quote:
    “Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that more than 9,500 commercial truckers have been taken out of service for failing English language proficiency checks.” ([09:13])
  • Out of about 2 million truckers, 9,500 represents a small percent but is still substantial when it comes to public safety.
• Immigration Enforcement:
  • "Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in October that 146 illegal immigrants operating semi trucks were arrested during a joint ICE–Indiana State Police operation..." ([10:30])
  • 40+ had CDLs from CA, IL, NY.
• Penalties for Non-Enforcing States:
  • "The Transportation Department has since threatened to withhold tens of millions of dollars in federal highway safety funds from California, Washington and New Mexico unless they fully enforce English language rules..." ([11:30])

Notable Quotes

• “Anyone behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle is properly qualified and proficient in our national language, English. This is common sense.” – President Trump, executive order ([05:37])
• "9,500 drivers who don’t speak English operating a 20-ton truck on American highways is a lot.” – Roman ([09:45])

2. $30 Million Award to Family of Teen Killed in Seattle CHOP Zone

[14:46 – 27:00]

Key Points

• Background:
  • In 2020, after George Floyd’s death, protesters took over an 8-block area in Seattle’s Capitol Hill: the CHAZ/CHOP “autonomous zone.”
  • Police and paramedics were unable to enter for three weeks; barricades and armed checkpoints set up by protesters.
  • The city, under Mayor Jenny Durkin, did not intervene for weeks. The zone ended only after a teenager was shot and killed.
• Case Details:
  • 16-year-old Antonio Mays Jr. (from Southern California) left home to join protests; within 10 days, he was killed after being shot in a stolen white Jeep trying to breach CHOP barricades.
  • Mays was shot alongside 14-year-old Robert West (who survived). Medics couldn’t enter; boys were taken to the hospital by private vehicle. Police took five hours to respond.
  • Shooter believed to be a CHOP security guard, but no one arrested or charged. “Despite there being witnesses… nobody was held criminally liable." ([23:18])
• Legal Outcome:
  • Antonio’s father sued the city in 2023 for allowing CHOP and its aftermath.
  • The case was narrowed only to the city’s response/emergency services, not over city leadership or protest policing choices.
• Jury Verdict:
  • Jury found the City of Seattle negligent in emergency response; damages of over $30.5 million:
    • $4M to Antonio’s estate
    • $26M to his father
  • Roman: “The jury awarded about $4 million to the estate of Antonio Mays Jr. and about $26 million to Antonio Mays Sr., the teen’s father.” ([25:12])
  • Quoting Antonio Mays Sr. post-verdict ([26:15]):

    "I can say that it feels good. I can't say that it feels complete, because it doesn't. I'm thankful for the verdict. I'm thankful for the success, but it doesn't feel like a resolve."

Notable Quotes

• “The city government allowed what can rightfully be called an actual insurrection to take place.” – Roman ([21:10])
• “The moment that she [the Mayor] signed an executive order, it was basically gone within 24 hours.” ([20:45])

3. Update: Ryan Ruth Sentenced for Attempted Trump Assassination

[27:01 – 37:42]

Key Points

• Conviction & Sentencing:
  • “Ryan Ruth, the second attempted Trump assassin… was recently sentenced to life behind bars… without the possibility of parole.” ([27:05])
  • Covered four new details from the trial:
    1. Ruth was prepared to flee the U.S. on the day of his arrest (multiple phones, list of international flights, directions to Miami International).
    2. Ruth’s defense cited a psychiatric report claiming narcissistic personality disorder and bipolar II. Prosecution countered with lack of prior medical evidence and another evaluation found Ruth competent for trial.
    3. Ruth attempted self-harm in court following his conviction (“grabbed a pen and tried to stab himself in the neck”) but was restrained by U.S. Marshals.
    4. Ruth portrayed himself as gentle and non-violent—contradicted by his planning and a witness who received a letter from Ruth after the attempt:

       “Dear world, this was the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I am so sorry I failed you. I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job.” ([34:16]) The note also offered $150,000 to "finish the job."

  • Judge Eileen Cannon sentenced him to life in prison for attempted assassination, seven years for a gun charge, and a $500 fine.
  • Roman: "[It was] an open and shut case. The prosecutors argued that a life sentence in this case was appropriate given the months of deliberate planning..." ([36:16])

4. Brief: Charlie Kirk Documentary and Reflections on Media Labeling

[37:43 – End]

• Documentary Release:
  • The Epoch Times’ new mini documentary on Charlie Kirk explores how media and social media “extremist” labeling fueled public perception and led to violence against Kirk.
  • Roman on documentary’s theme:
    “It serves as both a memorial to him as well as sort of a textbook study of how the extremist label was slapped on him… and then spiraled out of control into a monster... that killed Charlie Kirk in front of the world.” ([39:00])
  • Also discusses how “labels in general are used to attack people who go against the official narrative.”
• Link to documentary provided in episode description.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[Truckers] would literally have to read a Dr. Seuss book right there on the spot to prove that they could actually speak and read English.” ([08:05])
• “The city never arrested nor charged anyone with the murder. Despite there being witnesses who said that Antonio was shot by one of those armed CHOP security guards.” ([23:18])
• “And so really take the whole situation in for a moment. The city government allowed what can rightfully be called an actual insurrection to take place.” ([21:10])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00 – 14:45: Florida’s English-Only Licensing & National Trucking Crackdown
• 14:46 – 27:00: Seattle CHOP Zone – Jury Verdict and Teen’s Death
• 27:01 – 37:42: Ryan Ruth Trial Updates and Sentencing
• 37:43 – End: Charlie Kirk Documentary and Cultural Labeling

Tone:
Direct, no-nonsense, journalistic with an emphasis on factual reporting and relevant quotes/official statements. Roman often underscores the consequences of government decisions with practical, real-world outcomes and personal stories.