Sean Duffy Vows ‘Action’ Against Air Traffic Controllers Who Went AWOL During Shutdown: ‘Concerned About Their Patriotism’

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that air traffic controllers who stopped reporting for duty before missing their first paycheck during the government shutdown could face disciplinary action as he declared he was “concerned about their patriotism.”

Speaking Tuesday at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, Duffy told C-SPAN his department would review attendance data to determine whether certain controllers failed to uphold their duties “on a continual basis” during the early days of the funding lapse.

“My concern is, for those air traffic controllers who, before they missed a paycheck, and were in the shutdown, they decided on a continual basis not to show up for work,” he said. “They don’t know how long the shutdown was going to be, they hadn’t missed a pay period, and they didn’t come to work.”

Controllers missed their first full paycheck on October 28, several weeks after the shutdown began on October 1. Duffy said no final decision had been made on potential consequences, but noted his concern about the “dedication” and “patriotism” of the workers involved.

“I would just tell you, I’m trying to bring more air traffic controllers in. I’m not trying to take air traffic controllers out,” he said. “But if we have controllers who systemically weren’t doing their job, we will take action.”

President Donald Trump first pushed the sentiment on Monday, writing on Truth Social that controllers who skipped work would be “docked,” while suggesting a $10,000 bonus for those who continued working.

The staffing gaps led the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to cut 10% of flights at 40 major airports, canceling over 7,000 flights between Friday and Monday. The country was already grappling with a controller shortage before the shutdown began.

Watch above via CSPAN.

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