**Interview with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy**
*Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan – November 2, 2025*
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**MARGARET BRENNAN:** We go now to the Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, who joins us this morning from Far Hills, New Jersey. Welcome to *Face The Nation*.
**TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY SEAN DUFFY:** Hey, thanks, Margaret, good to be with you.
**MARGARET BRENNAN:** Our CBS polling shows that there is real concern among Americans regarding the effect of the shutdown on all transportation. Should Americans also have safety concerns at this point?
**SEC. DUFFY:** I think that’s a great question. We work overtime to make sure the system is safe. We will slow traffic down—you’ll see delays, flights canceled—to make sure the system is safe. But we have to be honest: when we have shortages of controllers and towers and TRACONs doing two jobs, does it add more risk into the system? Sure, it does.
But again, we’re always managing that. We don’t want crashes; we want people to travel safely. We will slow and stop traffic if we don’t think we can manage it in a way that keeps people safe as they go from point A to point B.
**MARGARET BRENNAN:** I did see that the FAA said, up in New York, 80% of air traffic controllers were absent from New York area airports. On that same day, there was a near miss at LaGuardia Airport where one United plane clipped another. Was that pilot error? Or was that linked to some kind of shortage?
**SEC. DUFFY:** Well, you mentioned the shortages of air traffic controllers in New York airspace. A few days ago, there were three-hour delays throughout New York. I haven’t yet received the full readout on whether that incident was pilot error. Usually, when planes are traveling very close to each other, it is their job to stay away from one another.
That’s not controllers, it’s usually pilot error. But I will have to review what directive was given by the air traffic controllers. Normally, it’s the pilot’s responsibility to maintain separation on the tarmac.
**MARGARET BRENNAN:** If this shutdown continues, when does it become an emergency in terms of passenger safety and the safety of those trying to— for example— get home for Thanksgiving in a few weeks?
**SEC. DUFFY:** Does it become a flight emergency or safety issue? No. We will stop traffic if necessary. We’re not going to let that happen.
The real consequence is the rolling delays across the system. We’re already seeing problems in Los Angeles, Dallas, Washington, DC, Boston, and Atlanta—and it will only get worse.
We have controllers who are new, trainee controllers who are very helpful in the towers. They don’t make a lot of money, and now many haven’t had a paycheck for over a month. They’re faced with tough decisions: do I put food on my kids’ table, put gas in the car, pay rent, or go to work without pay?
I’ve encouraged them all to come to work because I want them here. But these are life decisions no one should have to make. We need to open the government and pay these young controllers.
Margaret, it’s really important — as you’ve covered — that while we don’t have the best equipment in our towers and centers, we do have the safest and most efficient airspace because we have the best controllers in the world keeping our skies safe. They deserve a paycheck.
**MARGARET BRENNAN:** Given that they are so essential, is there any way the administration can find a pot of money— like seems to be found for others, like the military— to pay controllers so they can show up to work? Why isn’t the administration able to do that?
**SEC. DUFFY:** That’s a great question. We have done all we can. President Trump has done what he can to minimize the pain of the shutdown on the American people.
Remember, under Barack Obama’s shutdown, there were attempts to gate off open air monuments in Washington, DC, and to shut down parks and walking paths. President Trump has tried to make it less painful.
We’re looking for funds to pay essential workers, but there are strict rules on what money we can use and how we can use it. We must follow the law.
We were able to fund central air service to more rural communities. We have kept our academy running so far—with only a couple more weeks of that funding left.
But I don’t have unlimited resources. The simple answer is: vote to open the government, negotiate your differences—that’s fair. But these people should be paid.
To say that it’s Donald Trump’s fault or that he has to find money when Democrats have said there’s no money available because the government is shut down— that’s a twisted argument. Democrats are trying to push that narrative, but it doesn’t hold up. Give the money and we’ll pay the controllers.
**MARGARET BRENNAN:** Reports indicate air traffic controllers only received partial pay in mid-October, and this past week missed a paycheck altogether. Practically speaking, for those in these jobs, would you advise them to pick up part-time work elsewhere?
**SEC. DUFFY:** No. I’m clearly asking them to come to work. It’s their job, and eventually they will be paid.
But as I’ve traveled around the country talking with air traffic controllers, many say they can handle missing one paycheck, but none can manage missing two.
They’re like every American family watching this show today, thinking about their own finances — how many paychecks can they miss before real stress and hardship set in?
Next week, they will receive a notice about their next paycheck. If the government doesn’t open, that notice will say zero again. We’ll likely see more of them choosing to fund their families — putting food on the table, gas in the car — over coming into work.
That’s not what I want, but I’m realistic. These are life-and-survival decisions they have to make.
By the way, it’s not just controllers. We have technicians who keep old equipment operational in the towers who aren’t getting paid. I have train inspectors working to keep trains running safely, pipeline inspectors, and many others across the system working without pay.
We talk about air traffic controllers, but thousands of employees are showing up every day, working to keep the system safe for the American people while not getting paid.
**MARGARET BRENNAN:** On October 9, you said on Fox Business, “I can’t have people not showing up for work and that they may be let go.” There’s already a shortage of 4,000 controllers. You’re not firing people, are you? You can’t afford to.
**SEC. DUFFY:** No, we’re actually 2,000 to 3,000 controllers short, which is a huge number. I’ve tried to surge air traffic controllers through our academy—this year alone, we’re up 20%. It takes about one to two years for new controllers to get certified in a tower.
But this shutdown is impacting my pipeline of controllers. So while the public might forget about air traffic control and the shutdown, I will deal with the long-term consequences of trying to deliver for the American people and getting more controllers in the towers, not less.
You brought up a good point: we’re already stressed from not having enough controllers. When staffing triggers happen and people don’t show up to fund their families, it makes it even harder. These are long-term consequences.
**MARGARET BRENNAN:** So you’re not going to fire them?
**SEC. DUFFY:** I don’t plan to fire controllers. When they’re making decisions to feed their families, I’m not going to fire air traffic controllers.
I love and support them as they navigate this challenging process. They need support and paychecks—not to be fired.
**MARGARET BRENNAN:** All right. Secretary Duffy, thank you for your time this morning.
We’ll be right back.