These are dire times in the U.S. government. The Trump administration knows something must be done to fix the problem.
And a top Trump official issues a stark warning about the government shutdown that could impact countless Americans.
As the federal government shutdown stretches into its fifth grueling week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy delivered a stark warning that the mounting airport delays across the nation are poised to intensify, hitting hardworking Americans right where it hurts—their travel plans and daily lives.
Speaking bluntly on CBS News’s “Face the Nation” with Margaret Brennan, Duffy painted a picture of a system on the brink, driven by unpaid air traffic controllers who are bearing the brunt of Washington’s dysfunction.
“I think the real consequence is, what kind of rolling delays do you have throughout the system, right?” Duffy said, highlighting the ripple effects already felt in key cities.
“We’ve seen problems at L.A., in Dallas, in D.C., Boston, Atlanta. And so I think it’s only going to get worse.”
The troubles boiled over on Sunday, with massive ground delays crippling major hubs, including a nearly four-hour snarl and full ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration and NYC Emergency Management.
Out west, staffing shortages slammed Los Angeles International Airport and San Diego International Airport, leading to hour-long backups that left passengers fuming and flights grounded.
This mess couldn’t come at a worse time, with Thanksgiving just weeks away—a holiday when millions of patriotic families hit the roads and skies to reunite, only to face this unnecessary nightmare courtesy of political gridlock.
Duffy made it clear that safety remains the top priority, vowing that federal authorities would halt air traffic entirely if the absences from sick calls turned into a genuine hazard.
But he quickly added reassurance: “we’re not going to let that happen,” emphasizing the commitment to keeping America’s airspace running despite the odds.
Praising the dedicated men and women in control towers, Duffy pointed out the outdated gear they work with, yet stressed how their skill keeps our nation flying high.
“We don’t have the best equipment in our towers and centers for air traffic control. But we have the safest airspace, we have the most efficient airspace because we have the best controllers in the world that work our skies and keep our people safe. They deserve a paycheck,” Duffy declared.
Just last month, Duffy had floated the idea of firing controllers who skipped shifts over pay disputes, but he dialed back that tough talk in this latest appearance, showing a more compassionate side for these essential workers.
“They don’t make a lot of money, and they’re now confronted; they haven’t had a paycheck for over a month. They’re confronted with a decision: do I put food on my kids’ table, do I put gas in the car, do I pay my rent, or do I go to work and not get paid?” he explained, capturing the raw struggles of everyday Americans caught in the crossfire.
“I’m not going to fire air traffic controllers …They need support, they need money, they need a paycheck. They don’t need to be fired,” Duffy continued, shifting focus to solutions over punishment.
The shutdown, which kicked off on October 1, has thrown air travel into disarray while also disrupting vital federal food programs, leaving vulnerable families scrambling and exposing the real costs of elite bickering in D.C.
It’s high time for leaders to prioritize the backbone of this country—the controllers, pilots, and passengers who keep America moving—over endless partisan games that achieve nothing but pain for the people.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
