FAA Chief Mike Whitaker to Resign Ahead of Trump Administration

Whitaker's departure follows a tenure marked by increased oversight of Boeing and clashes with SpaceX as the FAA faces ongoing challenges in aviation safety.

Mike Whitaker, confirmed as FAA Administrator in October 2023, will step down on January 20, 2025, coinciding with President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.
Whitaker's tenure focused on addressing aviation safety concerns, including heightened scrutiny of Boeing after a midair door-plug failure on a 737 Max in January 2024.
The FAA under Whitaker doubled enforcement actions against Boeing and imposed production limits until safety improvements were implemented.
Whitaker faced criticism from Elon Musk and SpaceX after the FAA fined the company for regulatory violations, with Musk accusing the agency of overreach.
The FAA continues to grapple with air traffic controller shortages, outdated infrastructure, and near-miss incidents, leaving significant challenges for Whitaker's successor.