Trump Administration Dismisses Hundreds Of FAA Employees Amid Safety Fears

The Trump administration has initiated mass layoffs at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), dismissing several hundred employees, primarily probationary staff, just weeks after a deadly mid-air collision in Washington, D.C. The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union criticized the firings as 'shameful' and detrimental to aviation safety, asserting that the FAA is already grappling with understaffing. Employees expressed concerns that these cuts, which affect critical roles such as systems specialists and safety inspectors, could undermine public trust and elevate risks within the national airspace. Notifications of termination were reportedly sent via unofficial channels, raising further concerns about transparency and due process. The layoffs coincide with the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), led by Elon Musk, which aims to reduce the federal workforce. Critics argue that such decisions should take into account the mission-critical needs of the FAA, especially following multiple recent aviation incidents.