EXCLUSIVE: Trump Awards Massive Checks to Air Traffic Controllers Who Worked in Shutdown

FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is making good on President Donald Trump’s promise to give $10,000 bonuses to air traffic controllers who continued to show up to work during the 43-day government shutdown.

Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford will award 776 air traffic controllers and technicians a $10,000 award for their unpaid work during the shutdown.

The money will come from “operating funds.”

“These patriotic men and women never missed a beat and kept the flying public safe throughout shutdown,” Duffy said. “Democrats may not care about their financial well-being, but President Trump does. This award is an acknowledgement of their dedication and a heartfelt appreciation for going above and beyond in service to the nation.”

The award will be sent to employees who maintained perfect attendance during the shutdown. Recipients will receive an automated notification during the week of Nov. 24. Recipients will receive their payment no later than Dec. 9.

Trump first floated the idea Nov. 10 on Truth Social, saying, “All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked.’”

“For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax,’ I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country.”

“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,” the president added.

Due to insufficient staffing at airports during the shutdown, Duffy reduced flight capacity by 10% at 40 major airports.

Duffy said some air traffic controllers had to work 10-hour days, six days per week, during the shutdown.

“That pressure on the controllers were giving us numbers that were not troubling, but were concerning. So my job is to be preemptive,” he said.

Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also announced $10,000 bonuses for Transportation Security Administration workers who provided “exemplary” service during the shutdown.