Story by Josh Fiallo
Sean Duffy’s Newark Liberty International Airport headache is worsening by the day.
Donald Trump’s Cabinet member was harshly criticized this weekend for sharing a photo of himself and a plate of tacos—prepared by his “#LatinaWife”—while thousands remain stranded at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
An air traffic controller on Friday that “it is not safe” for the public to fly to and from the New Jersey airport after 20 percent of its air traffic controllers—who were part of an already-understaffed team—walked off the job.
Duffy has not made a post to X since.
That air traffic controller’s dire warning came after a week filled with seemingly never-ending delays that forced Newark’s largest carrier, United Airlines, to cancel 35 of its daily flights indefinitely despite there being no notable inclement weather.
Duffy, 53, has not ignored the growing crisis but has offered little on how the issue will be rectified in the coming days or weeks. He said Thursday he will ask Congress to shell out billions to reform U.S. air traffic control infrastructure.
He added that Newark’s problems resulted from equipment failures and staffing issues, claiming both need to be addressed before there is a “disaster.” He also announced that air traffic control candidates moving forward will receive a $5,000 bonus once they make it through the years-long program—an effort to boost recruitment.
Those promises have done little to curb criticism of Duffy, however. His politicking in the early days of MAGA 2.0 saw him strongly endorse the Department of Government Efficiency’s presence in the Federal Aviation Administration, including firing “several hundred” workers in February. That reportedly included air safety workers.
Sean Duffy’s Newark Liberty International Airport headache is worsening by the day.
Donald Trump’s Cabinet member was harshly criticized this weekend for sharing a photo of himself and a plate of tacos—prepared by his “#LatinaWife”—while thousands remain stranded at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
An air traffic controller on Friday that “it is not safe” for the public to fly to and from the New Jersey airport after 20 percent of its air traffic controllers—who were part of an already-understaffed team—walked off the job.
Duffy has not made a post to X since.
That air traffic controller’s dire warning came after a week filled with seemingly never-ending delays that forced Newark’s largest carrier, United Airlines, to cancel 35 of its daily flights indefinitely despite there being no notable inclement weather.
Duffy, 53, has not ignored the growing crisis but has offered little on how the issue will be rectified in the coming days or weeks. He said Thursday he will ask Congress to shell out billions to reform U.S. air traffic control infrastructure.
He added that Newark’s problems resulted from equipment failures and staffing issues, claiming both need to be addressed before there is a “disaster.” He also announced that air traffic control candidates moving forward will receive a $5,000 bonus once they make it through the years-long program—an effort to boost recruitment.
Those promises have done little to curb criticism of Duffy, however. His politicking in the early days of MAGA 2.0 saw him strongly endorse the Department of Government Efficiency’s presence in the Federal Aviation Administration, including firing “several hundred” workers in February. That reportedly included air safety workers.
