‘AWOL’ Pete Buttigieg Pops Up for Air Traffic Controllers, Gets Shot Down Immediately

Transportation Secretary Duffy and former Secretary Pete Buttigieg exchanged sharp words on Monday after Buttigieg criticized President Donald Trump’s message to air traffic controllers amid the final hours of the record-long government shutdown.

Buttigieg, who served as Transportation Secretary Joe Biden, posted a response to the President’s message on X, writing, “The President wouldn’t last five minutes as an air traffic controller, and after everything they’ve been through – and the way this administration has treated them from Day One – he has no business shitting on them now.”

The President wouldn’t last five minutes as an air traffic controller, and after everything they’ve been through – and the way this administration has treated them from Day One – he has no business shitting on them now. https://t.co/JLi1J26dSC

— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) November 10, 2025

Duffy, who succeeded Buttigieg in the position, quickly replied, accusing his predecessor of neglecting the Department of Transportation during his tenure.

“Give me a break,” Duffy wrote.

“You were basically AWOL at the DOT. I spend my whole day dealing with your neglect and cleaning up your messes. Sit this one out.”

Give me a break. You were basically AWOL at the DOT.⁰⁰I spend my whole day dealing with your neglect and cleaning up your messes. Sit this one out. https://t.co/DPptdJ3wOm

— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 10, 2025

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The exchange came as the government shutdown—now the longest in American history—appeared close to resolution, with air travel operations becoming a central point of concern as federal workers, including air traffic controllers, continued to face financial strain.

President Trump addressed the issue directly on Monday through a Truth Social post directed at air traffic controllers.

He praised those who continued working despite the shutdown and criticized those who did not.

“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!!” the President 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.”

He continued, “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 U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country.”

The President also addressed those who refused to return to work, stating, “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! 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.”

President Trump also criticized the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of aviation systems, claiming billions of dollars were wasted on outdated infrastructure.

“The last ‘Administration’ wasted Billions of Dollars trying to fix antiquated ‘junk.’ They had no idea what they were doing!” he wrote.

Secretary Duffy has received praise from several aviation and transportation groups for maintaining continuity during the shutdown and keeping essential travel operations functioning.

Industry analysts have noted that communication from the Department of Transportation under Duffy’s leadership has remained steady throughout the shutdown, minimizing potential disruptions to commercial flights and air traffic systems.

In contrast, Buttigieg faced criticism during his tenure for handling several transportation crises, including widespread airline cancellations, lengthy FAA system outages, and supply chain disruptions that led to significant economic fallout.

I worked under your FAA @PeteButtigieg and, after 34 years, mostly as an Air Traffic Controller, I retired because of how you and the Biden administration, to use your words, shit on every employee at the FAA and ruined a once fine agency.

You allowed men into my office… https://t.co/bEoq2zm6wR

— Joanie Scott (@JstJoan) November 10, 2025

While President Trump’s comments drew strong reactions from both supporters and critics, Duffy’s exchange with Buttigieg reflected a broader debate over accountability within the Department of Transportation following years of strained infrastructure management.

As negotiations in Congress move closer to finalizing a deal to end the shutdown, administration officials have emphasized the importance of restoring federal operations and supporting the nation’s transportation workforce.