News

No Air Traffic Controllers? Blame the Shutdown

Jamie Jackson
October 7, 2025

Reading Time: < 1 minute

(AURN News) — Will the government shutdown affect your travel plans? A social media feud between California and Washington suggests it already has.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted Monday on X: “Thanks, @realDonaldTrump! Burbank Airport has ZERO air traffic controllers from 4:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. today because of YOUR government shutdown.”

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy responded with a sharply worded post blaming Democrats for the shutdown.

No air traffic controllers for SIX HOURS at Burbank airport yesterday.

Massive delays. Flights cancelled.

But Sean has time to do Fox and Friends and complain about how a Governor hurt his feelings. 😢 https://t.co/0e3QuHvQuR
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 7, 2025

“News flash! Your Democrat friends shut down the government because they want to make Americans pay the health care for illegals,” Duffy posted. “And no state has more illegals than California! You care more about illegals than our hard-working American air traffic controllers. If you’re looking for someone to blame, look in the mirror — we all know it’s your favorite thing to do.”

By law, people in the country illegally can’t receive federal health coverage except for emergency treatment — a rule that has been in place since 1996.

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Jamie Jackson is an Emmy-nominated television and radio broadcaster who has served American Urban Radio Networks since 2015. He previously covered the Obama and Trump administrations as a White House Correspondent and Pool Reporter for AURN News. Jamie hosted a national PBS television special in 2023 and over the years has worked as a TV news anchor and local NPR host for stations across the country. His work has been honored by numerous organizations, including the NAACP and the Virginia Farm Bureau.