Trump Fires Hundreds of Air Traffic Support Staff as SpaceX Visits FAA Command Center

Trump Fires Hundreds of Air Traffic Support Staff as SpaceX Visits FAA Command Center

In a surprising and controversial move late on Friday night, the Trump Administration began terminating hundreds of employees who were responsible for maintaining the critical air traffic control infrastructure in the U.S. This decision to cut these vital roles comes as SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, is stepping in to help with the modernization of the air traffic control system. These firings, targeting probationary workers, have drawn widespread criticism and raised concerns about the future of aviation safety and system reliability in the U.S. The layoffs are not directly related to air traffic controllers themselves, who are already in short supply due to decades of staffing shortages. Instead, they affect the technical and support staff who handle the radar, navigational aid systems, aircraft certification, flight procedures, and related engineering tasks that are integral to the air traffic control network's operations. These roles are crucial for ensuring the safe and efficient m…