President Donald Trump has demanded that air traffic controllers return to work or have their pay cut as staffing levels threaten delays at airports nationwide.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned that dozens of airports around the country are seeing significant delays due to the ongoing government shutdown.
As a result of the 40-day funding impasse, federal workers such as air traffic controllers have faced threats to their paychecks, leading some to stay home.
Travel delays and snafus are now becoming one of the most tangible impacts of the shutdown on US citizens, and the president is demanding that the unpaid air traffic controllers continue working to alleviate stress on travelers.
‘All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!’ the president posted on social media Monday morning.
‘Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially “docked,”‘ he added.
Despite his apparent dissatisfaction with the federal aviation employees, the 79-year-old president did laud those who have refrained from complaining and who dutifully worked without any payment.
For these select ‘patriotic’ controllers, Trump suggested they receive $10,000 bonuses.
President Donald Trump threatened air traffic controllers who have not worked during the ongoing federal shutdown will be ‘docked’ and those who have not complained and worked without pay will be given $10,000 bonuses
The FAA has noted it has staffing issues because of the 40-day government funding impasse
Delays and cancellations have increased in recent weeks due to funding issues
‘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.’
The lengthy statement also urged those who were not up to the challenge to quit their posts, despite the FAA already facing staffing issues.
The threat to the air traffic controllers comes the same week that Trump has doubled down on his proposal to send Americans $2,000 checks with money generated through his tariff plans.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that the travel woes will only continue to get worse until the holidays kick off on Thanksgiving.
‘It’s only going to get worse… the two weeks before Thanksgiving, you’re going to see air travel be reduced to a trickle,” Duffy said on CNN over the weekend.
‘Many of them are not going to be able to get on an airplane, because there are not going to be that many flights that fly if this thing doesn’t open back up,’ Duffy said.
Earlier this month, Duffy noted in an interview with CNBC that the government is short 2,000 to 3,000 air traffic controllers. There are roughly 14,000 controllers in the US.
Travelers make their way through a security line at Boston Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts on November 10, 2025. Hundreds of thousands were impacted Sunday by delays and cancellations across the US
Sunday was the worst day for air traffic in the US since the shutdown began.
Over 10,800 flights were delayed and 2,800 were canceled on Sunday. The disruptions impacted hundreds of thousands of Americans.
Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays in the US for travel, and millions regularly fly home or to loved ones for the day, posing issues for the beleaguered federal aviation workers who have gone without pay for close to a month and a half.
However, a funding breakthrough may be close.
On Sunday evening, the Senate voted to advance a framework for a legislative deal to fund the government and end the shutdown.
The move sets up a potential funding vote later this week, though congressional leadership has remained opaque on the details.
