The Department of Transportation is considering possibly firing some air traffic controllers who consistently called out of work during the shutdown, secretary Sean Duffy said today.
Duffy said, specifically, he is “concerned” about the controllers who “on a continual basis” did not show up for work before employees missed a paycheck and it wasn’t clear how long the shutdown would go on for.
“I’m concerned about those controllers. I’m concerned about their dedication. I’m concerned about their patriotism,” Duffy said at a news conference today.
“So we haven’t made a decision, but we are going to look at those controllers who continually made the decision not to show up for work, and again, we have to look at the data,” he added.
The secretary said he’s “not trying to take air traffic controllers out,” but if there are employees who “systemically weren’t doing their job, we will take action.”
Some background: Duffy’s comments come after President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social yesterday, “All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!!”
“For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU,” the post said. Trump also threatened to replace these employees with “true Patriots.”
