As the government shutdown drags into its second week, the nation’s airports are feeling the strain—and the rhetoric from Washington is only intensifying. On Thursday, October 9, 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, the former reality TV host turned cabinet official, issued a stern warning to air traffic controllers who have been calling in sick while working without pay: show up, or risk being fired.
During a Fox Business News interview, Duffy didn’t mince words. “If we have a continual small subset of controllers that don’t show up to work, and they’re the problem children ... if we have some on our staff that aren’t dedicated like we need, we’re going to let them go,” he declared. He went on to explain, “It’s a small fraction of people who don’t come to work that can create this massive disruption and that’s what you’re seeing rippling through our skies today.” According to Duffy, about 90% to 95% of controllers are still reporting for duty, but the remaining 10%—the so-called “problem children”—are responsible for significant delays nationwide (as reported by BBC and other outlets).
The impact on travelers has been immediate and severe. For four straight days, major airports like Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport have reported mounting delays. On Thursday night alone, flights at Newark were delayed an average of 87 minutes, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Smaller airports have also been hit, as the FAA scrambles to shuffle available controllers between facilities to keep flights moving.
“I want to be clear, 90… 95% of them are amazing, beautiful, wonderful American patriots that show up to work every day, even though they may not get that paycheck on time, they show up,” Duffy said, offering rare praise before doubling down on his threat. “When you come to work, you get paid. If you don’t come to work, you don’t get paid. And so that’s the way we’re going to do it.”
But the underlying reasons for the spike in absenteeism are complex, and Duffy’s comments have only added fuel to an already tense situation. The government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, has left thousands of federal workers—including air traffic controllers—working without pay. While federal employees are scheduled to be paid early the week of October 13, that’s only if the government reopens in time. Otherwise, paychecks will be withheld, deepening the anxiety among workers who are already stretched thin.
The political blame game is in full swing. Duffy, echoing lines frequently used by President Donald Trump and other administration officials, attempted to shift responsibility onto Democratic leaders. He claimed, without evidence, that controllers are “lashing out at Chuck Schumer,” the Democratic Senate Minority Leader, because “Chuck Schumer is putting illegal immigrants and their health care over their paychecks, putting illegals over Americans.” This assertion, widely debunked by major media outlets, has become a common refrain among Trump allies. In reality, Democrats are pushing for the restoration of Medicaid funding cut by President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” in July—a move that affected millions of Americans, including 1.4 million legal immigrants losing Medicaid coverage (as reported by KFF and multiple news sources).
Meanwhile, the political gridlock in Congress shows no sign of easing. The Senate failed again on Thursday to pass a resolution to reopen the government. Democrats insist that any deal must address healthcare subsidies for lower-income Americans and reverse the Trump administration’s Medicaid cuts. Republicans, who control both chambers, are holding out for a “clean” bill that simply extends the current budget, without additional provisions.
The uncertainty over pay is only adding to the stress. President Trump, in a Cabinet meeting on October 9, warned of making “permanent cuts,” stating, “We’ll be making cuts that will be permanent, and we’re only going to cut Democrat programs.” Earlier in the week, Trump suggested that furloughed federal workers might not receive back pay once the government reopens—a suggestion that would violate the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, which guarantees retroactive pay for all federal employees, whether furloughed or deemed essential.
The Office of Management and Budget has reportedly discussed the possibility of withholding back pay, despite assurances from Senate Majority Leader John Thune that it’s a “non-issue” and all workers will be paid. The uncertainty has left many federal employees, even those who have supported Trump in the past, worried about their financial futures. As one observer put it, “People deserve to be paid for the work that they do.”
The ripple effects extend far beyond the airports. The Smithsonian Institution, which includes the National Zoo and a network of public museums, announced it would begin closing locations on Sunday, October 12, as funds run out. Members of the military could also miss paychecks expected next week if the shutdown isn’t resolved.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the union representing controllers, has tried to walk a careful line. In a statement, NATCA said, “There are processes and procedures in place to deal with the inappropriate use of sick leave.” The union has repeatedly emphasized that it does not “endorse, support, or condone” any coordinated action by employees to pressure the government. “Participating in a job action could result in removal from federal service,” NATCA posted on its website, warning that such actions are illegal and undermine the union’s credibility.
Adding to the public pressure, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recorded a video blaming Democrats for the shutdown. The message, reportedly playing on screens in major airports, tells travelers, “Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government and because of this, many of our operations are impacted.”
For now, the situation remains precarious. The shortage of air traffic controllers, already a long-standing concern, has reached a crisis point. Duffy’s threats may be intended to deter further absences, but they risk deepening resentment among a workforce already asked to do more with less. The question on everyone’s mind: how much longer can the system hold?
As the shutdown’s repercussions ripple through the nation’s airports, museums, and military bases, Americans are left waiting—not just for their flights, but for their leaders to find a way forward.
