Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Tuesday that portions of U.S. airspace could be shut down if the ongoing government shutdown continues into next week, escalating pressure on Democrats as negotiations over a new spending bill remain stalled.
At a press conference, Duffy accused Democrats of holding up legislation that would reopen the government and fund essential operations. “So, if you bring us to a week from today, Democrats, you will see mass chaos; you will see mass flight delays; you’ll see mass cancelations; and you may see us close certain parts of the airspace because we just cannot manage it because we don’t have the air traffic controllers,” Duffy said.
The federal government remains shuttered after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on a spending package, with both chambers locked in a partisan standoff. Republicans have almost unanimously blamed Democrats for prolonging the impasse, noting that only a small number of Democratic votes are needed to pass the bill and restore federal operations.
Duffy’s warning marks one of the Trump administration’s most forceful attempts yet to highlight the tangible consequences of the shutdown and place responsibility squarely on congressional Democrats. His remarks suggest that the Department of Transportation is preparing for severe operational disruptions if funding is not restored soon.
The secretary said that air traffic controllers and other key aviation personnel were already strained, adding that without adequate funding, maintaining safe and efficient air travel could become impossible. “We just cannot manage it because we don’t have the air traffic controllers,” he said, underscoring the potential risks to both the aviation system and the broader economy if the shutdown drags on.
The standoff in Washington has entered a new phase, with the Trump administration openly considering measures designed to force Democrats back to the negotiating table. In addition to Duffy’s remarks, the White House has signaled its willingness to take a hard line on social programs and federal spending.
President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social Tuesday that his administration would defy a federal court order requiring partial funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves more than 40 million Americans. The court had ruled that the program must continue operating during the shutdown, but Trump argued that Democrats, not the administration, were responsible for the disruption.
The administration’s approach appears aimed at drawing a stark contrast between Republican calls for fiscal discipline and what they describe as Democratic obstruction. By emphasizing the potential fallout—from flight cancellations to delayed benefits—the White House hopes to shift public frustration away from the president and onto congressional Democrats.
For Duffy, the message was clear: the costs of inaction are mounting. “If this continues,” he warned, “there will be chaos.”
The Transportation Department has not yet announced which parts of the airspace could face closure, but officials suggested that major travel hubs could experience widespread delays if Congress does not act soon. As the standoff continues, Duffy’s warning served as both a logistical alert and a political challenge—one that underscores how the shutdown has become a test not just of governance, but of who will bear the blame when essential systems begin to break down.
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