Karoline Leavitt Exposes AP’s FAA Deception, Narrative Crumbles

The Trump administration is refuting a widely circulated report by the Associated Press (AP) that suggested the recent firing of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees was creating chaos within the agency and jeopardizing national security.

The AP initially claimed that hundreds of FAA employees, including those involved in radar and navigational aid maintenance, were terminated just weeks after a fatal mid-air collision in Washington, D.C.

The AP’s now-updated report originally stated:

“FAA staff fired over the weekend included personnel that worked radar, landing and navigational aid maintenance, among others. Hundreds were fired, just weeks after a fatal mid-air collision in DC killed 67. One employee said they were harassed on Facebook…”

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However, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has been leading the administration’s efforts to streamline federal spending, swiftly countered the claim.

Notably, DOGE does not even have a Facebook page, raising further questions about the credibility of the source.

Karoline Leavitt, a White House spokesperson, directly addressed the AP’s claims, stating:

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“No air traffic controllers nor any professionals who perform safety-critical functions were terminated.”

More fake news from the @AP

1. DOGE doesn’t even have a Facebook page

2. No air traffic controllers nor any professionals who perform safety critical functions were terminated https://t.co/vhrusRu3NS

— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) February 17, 2025

The administration maintains that the targeted firings were part of an ongoing effort to reduce bureaucratic waste, not a reckless move that endangers public safety.

Despite these clarifications, the AP doubled down on its reporting, publishing an updated version that maintained a dire tone. The revised article continued to highlight concerns over the firings, stating:

“The Trump administration has begun firing several hundred Federal Aviation Administration employees, upending staff on a busy air travel weekend and just weeks after a January fatal midair collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.”

The report cited David Spero, president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union, who described the firings as “upending” operations.

It also included testimony from an anonymous air traffic controller, who suggested the layoffs affected FAA radar and landing maintenance personnel.

The AP further suggested that some of the dismissed employees were working on an Air Force-funded early warning radar system for Hawaii, intended to detect incoming cruise missiles.

The report quoted Charles Spitzer-Stadtlander, one of the terminated employees, who said:

“The Hawaii radar and the FAA defense program office working on it are about protecting national security. I don’t think they even knew what NDP does, they just thought, oh no big deal, he just works for the FAA.”

The claim that national security is now at risk due to these firings has been met with skepticism.

The White House has not commented directly on the Hawaii radar system but continues to stand by its assertion that critical safety roles were not impacted.

Chuck Todd, former NBC News host, attempted to amplify the AP’s narrative, but critics quickly pointed out the lack of public outrage.

Are you illiterate, or just the most dishonest person alive? pic.twitter.com/5V6fMlCdWX

— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) February 18, 2025

It even says it in the @AP hack’s X post. https://t.co/KMxe7EgQl3

— CornPapaShango (@mbhur2024) February 17, 2025

The reality, according to several political analysts, is that most Americans are not particularly concerned about bureaucratic job cuts.

Millions of private-sector workers have faced layoffs without the kind of media sympathy currently being extended to FAA employees.

Polling suggests that Trump’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal government remain popular, even among some Democratic voters.

The AP’s attempt to frame the FAA firings as a national crisis appears to be another instance where the media’s narrative does not align with public sentiment.

As the Trump administration continues its cost-cutting measures, it remains to be seen whether similar reports will gain traction or if they will simply be dismissed as more media-driven panic over reducing government excess.

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