In the wake of last week’s deadly DC air collision between an American Airlines flight and a Black Hawk helicopter, the Trump administration is using every resource in its tool belt to make the country’s skies safe.
But former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton apparently takes execption to this move.
This week, newly appointed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will work on upgrading the country’s aviation system.
“Big News – Talked to the DOGE team. They are going to plug in to help upgrade our aviation system,” Duffy noted in a post on X.
Who could argue with that, right?
Well, apparently Clinton does.
Clinton chimed about the news, tweeting:
“They have no relevant experience. Most of them aren’t old enough to rent a car. And you’re going to let them mess with airline safety that’s already deteriorated on your watch?”
Duffy wasted no time firing back to Clinton, saying:
“Madam Secretary, with all due respect, ‘experienced’ Washington bureaucrats are the reason our nation’s infrastructure is crumbling. You need to sit this one out.”
Madam Secretary, with all due respect, “experienced” Washington bureaucrats are the reason our nation’s infrastructure is crumbling. You need to sit this one out. pic.twitter.com/6IhE5xLxV8
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 5, 2025
The exchange comes in the aftermath back-to-back fatal aviation incidents in the U.S. last week, including the collision between a military helicopter and a passenger jet near the Ronald Reagan Washington National airport (DCA) and a Learjet 55 medevac jet that crashed in Philadelphia, killing at least seven people.
It also brings a spotlight to the safety of air travel, and the air traffic controls run by the federal government.
Elon Musk — who is spearheading the DOGE effort to uncover government waste, fraud, and abuse — indicated that the team will seek to swiftly implement “safety upgrades to the air traffic control system.”
“With the support of President @realDonaldTrump, the @DOGE team will aim to make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system. Just a few days ago, the FAA’s primary aircraft safety notification system failed for several hours!” he noted in a post when responding to Duffy’s announcement.
Duffy’s announcement, and Musk’s interjection, brought support from social media, including one user who noted the outdated safety of the country’s air traffic control systems, saying:
“My brother first developed the method of accurately navigating airlines by GPS, 45 years ago. He expected an automated air traffic system long ago. It’s time to do it now. Get rid of 75-year-old ATC radar. Put all the planes on a 3-D map. All paths straight to landing.”