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Trump slams air traffic controllers who called out during the government shutdown
President Trump gives brief remarks to members of the press after exiting Air Force One on Sunday.
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Tasos Katopodis
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President Donald Trump is slamming U.S. air traffic controllers who called out of work during the government shutdown, during which they were forced to stay on the job without pay.
Trump said in a post on Truth Social Monday morning that he was "NOT HAPPY" with controllers who took time off. "All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn't will be substantially 'docked,'" he wrote.
The Federal Aviation Administration had been contending with a shortage of air traffic controllers since well before the shutdown began, but the crisis deepened when the government closed and controllers received a partial paycheck and then no pay at all.. Some have taken on second jobs, while others have called in sick. Controllers are set to miss their second full paycheck this week.
Meanwhile, Trump called controllers who took no time off during the longest shutdown in U.S. history "GREAT PATRIOTS" and said he would recommend giving them each a $10,000 bonus.
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The guidance says that such people could become a “public charge” — a potential drain on U.S. resources — because of their health issues or age. -
As President Donald Trump's call for National Guard deployments rings out across the U.S., a small contingent of Ohio guard members is quietly expressing concern in an encrypted group chat. -
The administration's appeal to the high court over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program comes despite new efforts to end the federal shutdown, which would render the issue moot.
He said any controllers who wanted to quit shouldn't hesitate, but would receive "NO payment or severance of any kind!" and would be "quickly replaced by true Patriots." (In fact, one reason for the shortage is that it takes years to train and certify new controllers.)
In a subsequent post on X, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy praised "those who have worked throughout the shutdown" and said he would work with Congress to "reward your commitment."
Others offered sharp criticism of Trump's comments. "The President wouldn't last five minutes as an air traffic controller," former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a post on X, "and after everything they've been through - and the way this administration has treated them from Day One - he has no business s****ing on them now."
Last week, the FAA announced it would reduce flights by up to 10% at 40 of the busiest airports in the country, starting with a 4% reduction put in place on Friday.
That contributed to major travel headaches over the weekend. There were more than 4,500 cancellations and 18,000 delays at airports across the U.S., according to the flight tracking website FlightAware.
At Philadelphia International Airport, Phill Hicks' flight to West Palm Beach, Fla., was canceled and rebooked twice on Sunday. He was preparing to head home for the night and return for his flight Monday morning, but wasn't confident that would take off either.
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Several canceled flights are displayed on a departures board at Boston Logan International Airport on Monday.
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"I don't believe this ticket," he told NPR, "but I'm going to gas my truck up, and take that trip if I have to."
Seth Alpert's flight back to Columbus, Ohio, was delayed by two hours. Hedging his bets, he rented a car just in case.
"We'll see. The incoming flight says it's on time, or a few minutes delayed so, you know, 50-50," Alpert said of his chances.
Hicks, who was stuck at the airport several hours before senators announced they had reached a potential deal to reopen the government, said Congress should be working harder to end the shutdown.
"I think little cry babies need to get together and figure it out," he said. "People elect them to do a job. Do your damn job."
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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