WASHINGTON — President Trump publicly scolded air traffic controllers who took time off work during the 40-plus days they went without pay due to the government shutdown.
“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,” Trump declared on Truth Social. “You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record.”
The president also announced that he will recommend a “bonus of $10,000 per person” for the air traffic controllers “who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax.’”
“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked,’” he further warned.
Thousands of flights nationwide have been delayed or canceled since the Transportation Department announced service cutbacks last week due to the ongoing lapse in appropriations.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has denied any coordinated efforts by controllers to call in sick during the shutdown.
