(The Hill) — President Donald Trump on Monday criticized air traffic controllers who did not work without pay during the government shutdown and threatened that those who did not return to work immediately would be “docked.”
“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked,'” Trump posted on Truth Social.
In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump called for air traffic controllers who worked during the shutdown to receive a $10,000 bonus while complaining that those who took time off would be looked upon negatively.
“You didn’t step up to help the U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country,” Trump posted. “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!”
Flight delays will outlast shutdown, transportation chief warns
Trump administration officials stressed throughout the shutdown that the nation’s air traffic control systems were especially strained as workers went without paychecks.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said many air traffic controllers could afford to miss one paycheck but could not afford to miss a second. Duffy last week announced there would be a reduction in flights at major airports to deal with the shortage of air traffic controllers.
The Senate voted late Sunday to move forward on a measure that would end the shutdown, which is the longest on record at 41 days and counting.
