President Donald Trump issued a forceful demand Monday morning for all air traffic controllers to return to their posts immediately, threatening substantial pay cuts for those who fail to comply while promising $10,000 bonuses to workers who remained on the job during the United States government shutdown.
In a lengthy Truth Social post on November 10, Trump sharply criticized controllers who called in sick or took time off during the shutdown, stating: “All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially “docked.” For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the “Democrat Shutdown Hoax,” I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country. 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. 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. The last “Administration” wasted Billions of Dollars trying to fix antiquated “junk.” They had no idea what they were doing! Again, to our great American Patriots, GOD BLESS YOU – I won’t be able to send your money fast enough! To all others, REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY. GOD BLESS AMERICA! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP”
Trump’s statement comes as the nation faces unprecedented air travel disruptions during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Airlines canceled more than 1,500 flights on Monday alone, marking the fourth consecutive day that cancellations exceeded 1,000. Over the weekend, Sunday saw the single worst day for disruptions since the shutdown began on October 1, with nearly 2,950 flights canceled and almost 10,800 delayed.
Air traffic controllers, classified as essential federal employees, have been required to work without pay since the shutdown started. They missed a partial paycheck in October and have since received two paychecks showing $0. As of Monday, controllers were missing their second full paycheck during the shutdown.
The Federal Aviation Administration last week mandated airlines to reduce flights by 4% at 40 major airports starting November 7.
The Senate voted late Monday to advance a bill aimed at ending the shutdown, which would provide temporary government funding until January 30 and ensure back pay for furloughed federal employees. The bill is now in the House.
