Trump Administration's FAA Layoffs Raise Serious Aviation Safety Concerns

Mass firings at the Federal Aviation Administration, including critical safety roles, have sparked fears of heightened risks in air travel.

Over 130 FAA employees, including those in critical safety-support roles, were terminated in a mass firing ordered by the Trump administration and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Dismissed positions include aeronautical information specialists, lawyers overseeing pilot safety, and staff monitoring aviation hazards and pilot medical clearances.
The administration claims no 'critical' safety roles were affected, but experts and former employees argue the cuts undermine essential safety functions and increase aviation risks.
The layoffs come as public confidence in air travel declines following a series of recent aviation accidents, including a deadly mid-air collision near Washington, D.C.
Critics describe the firings as reckless and poorly planned, with some suggesting they reflect a broader effort to shrink government without understanding the consequences.