FAA Fires Hundreds of Employees After Fatal DC Crash

The Trump administration has initiated mass firings at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), impacting hundreds of probationary employees, including air traffic controllers, shortly after a deadly mid-air collision near Washington, D.C. Notifications of termination were sent via email late Friday, with union representatives stating the dismissals were made 'without cause' and unrelated to performance or conduct. These actions come amid ongoing scrutiny of FAA staffing levels following the crash that killed 67 people, raising serious concerns about air traffic safety. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the need to address staffing issues and improve the FAA's air traffic control systems, though the layoffs have drawn criticism for potentially exacerbating existing workforce shortages. Some affected employees allege that their dismissals may be politically motivated, particularly following criticism of prominent figures like Elon Musk. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is currently assessing the impact of these terminations on aviation safety and operations.