President Donald Trump on Monday sharply criticized air traffic controllers who have stayed home during the government shutdown, accusing them of failing to stand by their country while praising those who continued to work without pay.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump said he was “NOT HAPPY” with controllers who took time off during what he called the “Democrat Shutdown Hoax,” blaming congressional Democrats for the impasse that has disrupted air travel nationwide.
“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!!” Trump wrote. “Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked.’ 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.”
The shutdown, now stretching through its sixth week, has left tens of thousands of federal employees—including air traffic controllers—without pay. The Federal Aviation Administration has continued limited operations, but staffing shortages have led to delays and cancellations across several major airports.
Trump, who has spent the past several days negotiating a deal to reopen the government, made clear that his frustration was aimed not at those working through the hardship, but at what he sees as politically motivated absences. “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,” he wrote.
In his post, Trump argued that the refusal of some controllers to report to duty amounted to a failure of patriotism at a moment when, he said, the nation was under attack from partisan obstruction. “You didn’t step up to help the U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country,” he continued.
He warned that those who declined to work during the shutdown would carry a “negative mark” in his mind. “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!” Trump wrote, adding that replacements would be found “quickly” among “true Patriots.”
Trump also used the post to tout his administration’s efforts to modernize aviation systems, contrasting them with what he described as the failures of his predecessor. “You will be quickly replaced by true Patriots, who will do a better job on the Brand New State of the Art Equipment, the best in the World, that we are in the process of ordering,” he said. “The last ‘Administration’ wasted Billions of Dollars trying to fix antiquated ‘junk.’ They had no idea what they were doing!”
Ending his message on a characteristically defiant note, Trump reaffirmed his support for those continuing to work without pay. “To our great American Patriots, GOD BLESS YOU – I won’t be able to send your money fast enough! To all others, REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
The post underscored Trump’s approach to the shutdown: a mix of pressure, praise, and patriotism directed at federal employees as he continues to frame the standoff as a fight against Democratic obstruction rather than administrative failure.
[READ MORE: Trump Rebukes Rand Paul Over Blocked Shutdown Pay Bill]
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