Donald Trump's nominee for Transportation Secretary has pledged to allow ongoing safety investigations into Tesla vehicles to continue, despite the close relationship between the former president and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

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.

President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Transportation confirmed Wednesday that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s ongoing investigation into Tesla’s self-driving software will continue in the new administration.

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.

Former Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.), and President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Transportation, pledged Wednesday to maintain rigorous oversight of Boeing Co. and continue safety investigations into Tesla Inc.

President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to head the Transportation Department said he would allow an ongoing government probe into Tesla's advanced driver assistance system to continue. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in October opened an investigation into 2.