Fact-check: RNC says 54% of NC's commercial driver licenses were issued illegally to noncitizens
The fact-check examines the RNC’s claim accusing Cooper of mismanaging the state DMV while he was governor.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYWRAL is an established regional news organization, and the article identifies its author and grounds the fact-check in state and federal records and a named state spokesperson. The source type is recorded as unknown, so this assessment relies on the publisher and the article’s visible reporting.
- Track record — Established regional news outlet with a substantial record of local reporting.
- Author attribution — The article names Paul Specht as its author.
- Source type — The metadata lists the source type as unknown; the publisher is WRAL.
- Editorial standards — The article distinguishes a sample from a full accounting and attributes findings to officials and agency records.
The article clearly explains the difference between the federal sample and the DMV’s full review, gives specific figures, and attributes the findings to state and federal records and a named spokesperson. It also includes the RNC’s response, though it does not include a response from Cooper.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article presents the RNC’s claim and its explanation, then compares them with federal and state records. It does not include a response from Cooper, but the central numerical claim is assessed using detailed official data.
- Source diversity — Cites federal findings, state DMV figures and a named DMV spokesperson.
- Counterarguments presented — Includes the RNC’s claim and its response after receiving the state DMV’s statements.
- Omitted context — Does not include a direct response from Cooper.
- Loaded language — The article’s own narration is restrained; forceful wording is attributed to the RNC and Duffy.
The article uses a fact-check format, reports the RNC’s claim and response, and evaluates the claim against government records. Its language does not show a discernible partisan lean.
- Language tone — Mostly neutral explanatory language, with the conclusion framed as a fact-check rating.
- Source selection — Uses federal findings, state DMV figures and the RNC’s response.
- Framing — Focuses on whether the RNC’s numerical claim accurately describes the state’s licenses.
A WRAL fact-check found the RNC’s claim that 54% of North Carolina commercial driver’s licenses were issued illegally to noncitizens misrepresented a 50-license sample. A state review found administrative errors in 0.35% of all the state’s CDLs, and none went to people in the country illegally.
The RNC used a federal review of a sample of 50 North Carolina commercial driver’s licenses issued to noncitizens: 27 records failed to comply with federal requirements. WRAL reported that this sample did not represent all of the state’s CDLs, and that the federal agency’s review identified issues such as licenses extending beyond a driver’s work authorization or licenses issued without verifying authorization to be in the United States.
The North Carolina DMV reviewed its full set of active CDLs and reported that 1,149 of 325,114 had administrative errors. State officials said none had been issued to people in the country illegally. The federal agency approved the DMV’s correction plan, and the article said North Carolina’s transportation funds were no longer in jeopardy. WRAL rated the RNC’s claim false.
Community verdict
12 VOTES
People in this story
SWIPE →Senate candidate criticized in the RNC’s claim about North Carolina’s handling of commercial driver’s licenses while he was governor
Senate candidate and former RNC chair; the RNC made the claim examined in the article
Transportation secretary who announced a threatened funding withholding over the licensing issues
Senator whose seat is being vacated
Green Party Senate candidate
Libertarian Senate candidate
Part of a bigger story
2 OUTLETS- ARTICLES
- 2
- OUTLETS
- 2
- AVG CRED
- 81
Discussion · 0
Loading comments…