Buttigieg’s DOT Spends $80B on Equity, Delays Air Traffic Upgrades

As Pete Buttigieg considers a 2028 presidential run, criticism has mounted regarding his tenure as Secretary of Transportation, with insiders and industry officials accusing him of prioritizing a $80 billion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda over modernizing critical air traffic control systems. The Justice40 initiative, which directed 40 percent of DOT grant funding to disadvantaged communities, was exceeded under Buttigieg, who allocated 55 percent of funds to equity programs. Airline industry insiders claim Buttigieg showed little interest in upgrading outdated air traffic control infrastructure, which the Government Accountability Office warned is unsustainable and in dire need of replacement. In meetings, Buttigieg reportedly dismissed air traffic control modernization efforts, allegedly because they would enable airlines to fly more planes, prompting accusations that he was pushing a political agenda at the expense of improving travel safety and efficiency. Buttigieg’s spokesman has denied these allegations, citing increased hiring of air traffic controllers, software improvements, and new flight routes aimed at reducing delays. Nonetheless, critics argue that the failure to address the aging air traffic control system has contributed to ongoing flight delays and safety concerns, while the DOT’s focus remained heavily on equity initiatives during Buttigieg’s leadership.