Trump offers $10K bonus to air traffic controllers who worked during shutdown

President Trump said Monday that he will recommend a $10,000 bonus to air traffic controllers who kept working through the government shutdown, adding that those who called out or did not show up to work should not receive any severance pay.

“All air traffic controllers must get back to work, NOW!!. 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,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“God Bless you! I won’t be able to send you money fast enough,” Mr. Trump added.

“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. You didn’t step up to help the USA against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our country,” Mr. Trump continued.

The president said those who called out from their jobs “will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record” and threatened to withhold any severance pay if they quit.

“If you want to leave service in the future, please do not hesitate to do so with NO payment or severance of any kind! You will be quickly replaced by true Patriots who will do a better job,” Mr. Trump said.

The Federal Aviation Administration last week began reducing air traffic by 10% across 40 of the country’s busiest airports amid shutdown-induced staffing shortages, which were exacerbated by air traffic controllers calling out sick.

Last month, the FAA said “a surge in callouts is straining staffing levels” at the 30 largest airports in the country, adding that 80% of air traffic controllers were absent at New York-area airports ahead of Halloween weekend.

On Sunday, more than 10,000 flights within, into or out of the U.S. were delayed, according to FlightAware, which tracks delays and cancellations. It was the most disruptions on a single day since the government shutdown began. More than 3,200 flights were canceled for the day.

Air traffic controllers have been working without pay since the shutdown began on Oct. 1. Scores have worked six days per week with mandatory overtime. Absences have skyrocketed, triggering travel disruptions nationwide.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Sunday that delays and cancellations would get worse if the shutdown continued, saying flights could be reduced to a “trickle” ahead of the busy holiday season.

Late Sunday, a group of Senate Democrats struck an agreement with congressional Republicans and the White House to end the shutdown. The agreement cleared the first hurdle on a vote of 60-40 to advance in a late-night Senate vote. If it’s approved, it would need to pass the House and receive Mr. Trump’s signature to reopen the government.

The measure has enough support to clear those hurdles, but the process is expected to take several days.