Transportation Secretary authorized to use funds and coordinate with FAA for UAS and aerial photography for the race

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The Executive Order authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to use available funds for the race and to coordinate with the FAA on permitting unmanned aircraft systems and aerial photography.

Source summary

The White House fact sheet announces that President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, the first INDYCAR street race to be held near the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The Order tasks the Departments of the Interior and Transportation with selecting a race route, issuing permits, and coordinating logistics including FAA cooperation for aerial operations, and directs coordination with the Mayor of Washington, D.C. The release frames the race as a celebration of American motorsport history and other planned 250th anniversary events such as the National Garden of American Heroes and a proposed Independence Arch.

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Latest fact check

The Executive Order published by the White House on Jan. 30, 2026 directs the Secretary of Transportation to "use available funds to help facilitate the presentation of the race" and, working "with and through the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration," to take steps to ensure "unmanned aircraft systems and other means of aerial photography may be utilized by appropriately permitted individuals" to enhance public enjoyment, consistent with applicable law and subject to availability of appropriations. Independent coverage from INDYCAR and USA TODAY corroborates the Executive Order's language and the announcement of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. Verdict: True — the signed Executive Order explicitly authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to use available funds to facilitate the race and to coordinate with the FAA to permit unmanned aircraft systems and aerial photography, subject to legal and appropriations limits.

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Timeline

Update · Jan 31, 2026, 02:07 AMTrue
The Executive Order published by the White House on Jan. 30, 2026 directs the Secretary of Transportation to "use available funds to help facilitate the presentation of the race" and, working "with and through the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration," to take steps to ensure "unmanned aircraft systems and other means of aerial photography may be utilized by appropriately permitted individuals" to enhance public enjoyment, consistent with applicable law and subject to availability of appropriations. Independent coverage from INDYCAR and USA TODAY corroborates the Executive Order's language and the announcement of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. Verdict: True — the signed Executive Order explicitly authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to use available funds to facilitate the race and to coordinate with the FAA to permit unmanned aircraft systems and aerial photography, subject to legal and appropriations limits.
Original article · Jan 30, 2026
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