Trump Administration Fires FAA Employees Amid Safety Concerns Following Multiple Plane Crashes

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The Trump administration has initiated the termination of hundreds of employees at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), coinciding with a series of deadly plane crashes. According to the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union, several hundred probationary workers received termination notices, raising alarms about potential public safety risks.

Critics, including former FAA air traffic controller Dylan Sullivan, have noted that many of those dismissed are responsible for maintaining essential air traffic control systems. The move is especially controversial following recent incidents, including a midair collision over Washington, D.C., that claimed 67 lives, as well as separate crashes in Philadelphia and Alaska.

David Spero, national president of the Pass union, criticized the firings, stating, “Staffing decisions should be based on mission-critical needs... this is dangerous when it comes to public safety.” The FAA has faced challenges in recruiting air traffic controllers amid budget cuts that have hampered training efforts, raising further concerns about the agency's capacity to manage air traffic safely.

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