Sean Duffy, Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Transportation, said he would allow safety investigations into Tesla’s advanced driving technology to proceed, possibly setting himself up for a clash with a top supporter of the president-elect.

Sean Duffy, Trump's pick to lead the Department of Transportation, will support NHTSA's safety probes into Tesla's vehicles.

During a confirmation hearing in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, Sean Duffy, who is a former Republican congressman and lobbyist, claimed that he would allow the regulatory process to work itself out when it came to the car company owned by Trump’s buddy and political benefactor, Elon Musk.