California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a blistering attack on President Donald Trump and his administration after a temporary ground stop at Los Angeles International Airport caused widespread flight delays. Newsom accused Trump’s ongoing government shutdown of putting American lives at risk and urged the President to “get back to work.” The incident, which left passengers stranded for up to 87 minutes, has reignited tensions between state and federal leaders amid growing fallout from the 26-day shutdown.
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Airport Chaos Sparks Political Fury
Operations at Los Angeles International Airport came to a halt Sunday after a sudden ground stop caused major disruptions. Thousands of travelers faced long delays, with some waiting over an hour for departures to resume. While the order was lifted two hours later, frustration spread quickly online and in political circles. Governor Gavin Newsom used the opportunity to condemn the federal government’s handling of the situation.
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Newsom Targets Transportation Secretary
The California Governor directly blamed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for the mishandling of air travel operations. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Newsom wrote sarcastically, “Hell of a job, @SecDuffy. Can’t wait to see what you do with NASA.” His remark came as reports emerged that the disruptions were not caused by technical issues at LAX, but by a staffing shortage elsewhere.
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“Trump’s Shutdown” Under Fire
In a follow-up post, Newsom escalated his criticism, accusing the Trump administration of endangering lives. “Trump’s shutdown is endangering American lives,” he wrote, tagging President Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senator John Thune. The Governor demanded the federal government “get back to work,” adding, “You owe it to the American people.” His comments quickly went viral, highlighting growing concerns about the shutdown’s impact on aviation safety.
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Staffing Crisis in Oakland
A KTLA report later revealed that the staffing shortage occurred not at Los Angeles, but at the Oakland airport. The shortage triggered the temporary halt in flights between the two major hubs. Federal authorities confirmed that the ground stop was lifted after two hours once additional personnel were assigned to air traffic control. The issue underscored how the government shutdown has disrupted critical federal operations.
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Duffy Admits Controllers Under Strain
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy later addressed the issue in a Fox News interview, revealing that air traffic controllers were working under immense stress due to delayed pay. “They’ve got a big, fat zero as a paycheck,” Duffy said, adding that many live paycheck to paycheck and struggle with essential expenses like gas, childcare, and mortgages. He described the situation as “deeply concerning,” warning that continued shortages could further disrupt air travel.
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Shutdown’s Impact on Workforce
Duffy also confirmed that the prolonged shutdown has already driven approximately 2,000 air traffic controllers to quit. Many have sought employment in the private sector to secure financial stability. The staff exodus has placed additional pressure on the aviation system, increasing the risk of delays and logistical issues across major U.S. airports. Duffy acknowledged that while slowing air traffic is “not ideal,” safety remains the top priority.
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Mounting Political Pressure
With the government shutdown now entering its 26th day, tensions between state and federal leaders are reaching a breaking point. Newsom’s latest comments reflect a broader frustration among Democratic governors who accuse the Trump administration of jeopardizing public safety. As delays persist and staffing shortages deepen, both passengers and workers face mounting uncertainty over when normal operations will resume.