California Governor Newsom Blames Trump for Air Traffic Controller Shortage Amid Government Shutdown

California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticized President Donald Trump for the government shutdown that led to critical staffing shortages at Burbank Airport, resulting in the air traffic control tower being unmanned for nearly six hours. This unprecedented gap forced flight operations to be managed remotely by the Southern California TRACON facility, causing significant flight delays not only in Burbank but also at Newark Liberty International and Denver International airports. Newsom publicly blamed Trump and his administration for the shutdown, which began due to a Senate impasse over health care subsidies, while the White House and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blamed Democrats for the shutdown and alleged it was driven by disputes over healthcare for undocumented immigrants. The Federal Aviation Administration is under mounting pressure as air traffic controllers, already in a demanding role, have been forced to work without pay, contributing to increased sick calls and operational challenges. Both sides remain entrenched, with Democrats and Republicans blaming each other for the stalemate that has disrupted air travel and other federal operations. Meanwhile, the FAA continues to seek solutions to staff shortages and maintain airport safety amid the ongoing shutdown.