President Donald Trump issued a lengthy message to the United States’ air traffic controllers navigating the difficulties that the country’s longest government shutdown has imposed on their lives.
Since the shutdown began on October 1, air traffic controllers have been required to work without receiving their scheduled pay. Some have been clocking in throughout the government pause, while others have been calling out. Trump addressed both on his Truth Social platform on November 10.
The president said that he plans to recommend a $10,000 bonus for air traffic controllers who’ve been consistently showing up to their posts despite the pay pause. He described those individuals as “GREAT PATRIOTS.” Meanwhile, Trump slammed those who haven’t been showing up for work, repeatedly demanding that they clock in.
“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially docked,” said Trump.
“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. You didn’t step up to help the U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country. You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record,” Trump added. “If you want to leave service in the near future, please do not hesitate to do so, with NO payment or severance of any kind! You will be quickly replaced by true Patriots, who will do a better job on the Brand New State of the Art Equipment, the best in the World, that we are in the process of ordering.”
What Else Is There To Know About Trump’s Message To Air Traffic Controllers And The Current State Of Operations At U.S. Airports?
Toward the end of his post, in addition to bashing the Biden administration, Trump further called absent air traffic controllers to “REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY.” Moreover, to those who have been reporting for duty, he said, “I won’t be able to send your money fast enough!”
The day that Trump made his post, FlightAware reported that 9,070 flights to, from, or within the U.S. were delayed, and 2,405 were canceled.
The government shutdown has significantly impacted the lives of many federal workers, whether they’re working without pay or being furloughed. Some of those affected and financially strained have shared that they’ve had to take on additional jobs or utilize food donations.
Despite what Trump claimed in his November 10 Truth Social post, he had previously raised uncertainty during the shutdown regarding whether federal workers would receive back pay. Notably, during his first term, Trump signed off on a law that protected federal workers’ entitlement to back pay linked to government shutdowns.
