Trump slams air traffic controllers who called out during the government shutdown

"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,"

"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. He said any controllers who wanted to quit shouldn't hesitate, but would receive "NO payment or severance of any kind!""

"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.""

President Trump publicly criticized U.S. air traffic controllers who called out of work during the government shutdown and threatened substantial pay docking for those who did not return. Controllers worked through the shutdown without pay, received partial paychecks earlier, and face missing a second full paycheck. The FAA faced a preexisting controller shortage that worsened during the shutdown; some controllers took second jobs or called in sick. Trump praised controllers who continued working as "GREAT PATRIOTS" and proposed $10,000 bonuses while saying resigning controllers would receive no severance and could be replaced. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pledged to seek rewards for those who stayed, and critics condemned the president's remarks. The FAA announced flight reductions at busy airports.

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