Trump Fires FAA Staff Amidst Recent Plane Crash, Sparking Safety Concerns
The Trump administration fired several hundred probationary FAA employees, including personnel involved in radar, landing, and navigational aid maintenance, as well as those working on a crucial national security early warning radar system for Hawaii. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that fewer than 400 employees were terminated, with no critical safety personnel affected, although the FAA’s assessment of “critical safety functions” remains unclear. The firings occurred amidst existing concerns about air traffic controller shortages and follow a recent fatal midair collision. These actions have raised significant safety and national security concerns, particularly given the abrupt nature of the dismissals and lack of stated cause.
John Q. Hosedrinker