Washington, D.C
Hundreds of FAA workers fired after deadly D.C. plane crash by Trump administration
Hundreds of FAA workers fired
The Trump administration has fired hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration employees. This comes less than a month after a deadly plane crash in Washington D.C.
AUSTIN, Texas – The Trump administration has fired hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration employees.
This comes less than a month after a deadly plane crash in Washington D.C.
Trump administration fires FAA employees
The backstory:
Last week, probationary workers received e-mails notifying them of the layoffs.
“Around 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, hundreds of employees received messages from an executive order Microsoft address notifying them that they were fired,” said David Spero, the professional aviation safety specialists’ president.
Spero says there could be more emails to come, and employees could also be banned from entering FAA buildings by Tuesday, Feb. 18.
Among those fired were those that worked for FAA radar, landing and navigational aid maintenance. As well as those working on an urgent and classified early warning radar system.
The Trump administration referred to the aviation equipment as outdated following the deadly plane crash that killed 67 people last month.
Latest on DC mid-air crash
The NTSB is sharing new details from their investigation into the collision between a U.S. Army helicopter and an American Airlines plane over the Potomac River. FOX’s Shaun Rabb has the latest.
“We should have had better equipment. We don’t. We have obsolete equipment. They were understaffed for whatever reason,” says President Trump.
“If you look at these old, antiquated air traffic control systems, it really does look like a video game that is 30 years old,” says Vice President JD Vance.
Senator Maria Cantwell recently asked the Transportation Department to bar Elon Musk from any involvement in efforts to reform air traffic control.
“It’s a clear conflict of interest. And Secretary Duffy should make sure that Mr. Musk is not part of the FAA air transportation system. He has been fined for violations,” says Washington Senator Maria Cantwell.
Air traffic controller shortage in Austin
What they’re saying:
The firing comes at a time when DOGE and the Trump administration are looking to cut back on federal spending, and while there is already a shortage of air traffic controllers.
The FAA says only 53% of 60 controller positions are filled in Austin.
“We are in the top five airports with the greatest shortage of air traffic controllers,” says Congressman Lloyd Doggett.
The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin’s Tan Radford and previous coverage
Washington, D.C
National Guard member who survived D.C. attack ‘slowly healing,’ West Virginia’s governor says
Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, the National Guard member who survived last month’s deadly attack near the White House is “slowly healing,” West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Friday.
His colleague, Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed in the shooting the day before Thanksgiving when a suspect opened fire on a Washington, D.C., street. The guard members had been deployed to the city as part of a Trump administration order to fight crime in the capital.
Morrisey said in an update on Wolfe’s status that his head wound “is slowly healing.” He cited the soldier’s parents for the information.
He said Wolfe, 24, may have two to three more weeks of acute care as he heals and recovers, the governor said, citing the family. He said Wolfe’s family has been “optimistic” about his health.
“He’s beginning to ‘look more like himself,” Morrisey said, quoting Wolfe’s parents.
Wolfe was initially said to be in critical condition, and President Donald Trump said hours after the violence that Wolfe was “in very bad shape.”
The suspect in the attack, Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, made a virtual court appearance Tuesday from a hospital bed.
Lakanwal, who was also shot during the Nov. 26 shooting, was charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
He pleaded not guilty to all counts.
A vigil for Wolfe was expected to take place Friday night at Musselman High School in Inwood, West Virginia, Wolfe’s alma mater, the governor said.
US officials have arrested a man suspected of planting pipe bombs at the headquarters of the Republican and Democratic parties in Washington, DC, the night before the January 6 Capitol insurrection.
Published On 5 Dec 2025
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