President Donald Trump on Monday (November 10) urged air traffic controllers to return to work amid the ongoing government shutdown, warning that those who do not comply will face significant pay cuts. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, "All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked.’" He also promised $10,000 bonuses to those who have consistently worked during the shutdown.

The shutdown has led to sporadic staffing shortages among air traffic controllers, causing delays at major airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently began reducing domestic flights by 10 percent at 40 major airports to manage controller fatigue, as they have not been paid during the shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed concern about the financial strain on controllers, noting that many are facing economic challenges.

Nick Daniels, head of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, acknowledged the difficulties faced by controllers and emphasized their dedication. He stated, "Air traffic controllers have continued to show up during this shutdown. Every single day, they absolutely not only deserve their pay, they deserve to be recognized for what’s going on."

President Trump criticized controllers who took time off, labeling the shutdown as a "Democrat Shutdown Hoax." He stated that those who did not work would have a negative mark on their records and suggested they could be replaced by "true Patriots." The administration plans to update the national aviation system's infrastructure and technology using funds from a Republican domestic policy package.

The John Batchelor Show