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President Donald Trump on Monday renewed criticism of air traffic controllers who missed work during the record-long government shutdown, saying he wants to “reward” those who continued reporting for duty without pay — and potentially dock the pay of those who didn’t.
Speaking on Fox News, Trump said controllers and other essential employees “knew the money was coming” and should have remained on the job even as the shutdown entered its sixth week. “I want to reward the people that showed up without a lot of nonsense, without a lot of talk,” Trump said. “They did their job, and in many cases, they worked longer hours to get us through this period.”
Earlier Monday, Trump threatened on Truth Social to withhold pay from controllers who missed work and floated $10,000 bonuses for those who worked continuously. “For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU,” he wrote.
Air traffic controllers, classified as essential federal employees, are required to work during shutdowns even when they are not paid. Their absences have intensified a nationwide travel crisis, as the Federal Aviation Administration has restricted flights at dozens of major U.S. airports due to staffing shortages.
Trump has been inconsistent on back pay for federal employees. While a 2019 law guarantees retroactive pay after a shutdown, the administration has explored ways to limit those payments. A draft memo circulated last month, first reported by NBC News, suggested that furloughed workers “may not be entitled” to back pay — a position that contradicts earlier guidance from the Office of Management and Budget.
The president also downplayed concerns about the economy, saying polls showing voter anxiety are “fake.” “We have the greatest economy we’ve ever had,” Trump said, despite polls showing that two-thirds of respondents believe he hasn’t delivered on promises to curb inflation or improve economic conditions.
In the same interview, Trump defended efforts to restrict funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), arguing that too many “able-bodied people” are taking advantage of the food assistance program. “People that need it have to get it. I’m all for it,” he said, “but people that are able-bodied … they leave their job because they figure they can pick this up, it’s easier. That’s not the purpose of it.”
Earlier Monday, the Trump administration filed a supplemental Supreme Court brief seeking to extend a pause on full federal funding for SNAP benefits, which serve roughly 42 million Americans. Late Monday night, the Senate approved a measure to reopen the government with a provision ensuring continued funding for the program through next September. The bill now heads to the House.
