
California Governor Gavin Newsom is blaming the federal shutdown for problems at the Hollywood Burbank Airport.
On Monday, travels were unexpectedly disrupted from 4:15p.m. to 10p.m. when “there were no air traffic controllers in the Burbank tower,” according to ABC7. Instead, operations were conducted remotely by Southern California TRACON out of San Diego.
Newsom took to X to spew venom at President Donald Trump over the issue:
Thanks, @realDonaldTrump!
Burbank Airport has ZERO air traffic controllers from 4:15pm to 10pm today because of YOUR government shutdown. https://t.co/bnfuI9CKiR
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) October 6, 2025
“Thanks, [Trump]! Burbank Airport has ZERO air traffic controllers from 4:15 pm to 10 pm today because of YOUR government shutdown,” he wrote.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy spoke about the shortage of air traffic controllers earlier on Monday.
“We are tracking sick calls, sick leave. Have we had a slight tick up in sick calls? Yes. And then you’ll see delays that come from that, right? Because again, our priority, again, I want to see your flight not be delayed. I don’t want you canceled, but our priorities are safety. So if we have additional sick calls, we will reduce the flow consistent with a rate that’s safe for the American people,” he explained.
Blame continues to be slung back and forth, as Democrats accuse Republicans of not working with them on healthcare and Republicans accuse Democrats of rejecting reasonable compromises to push their radical agenda.
“The sad truth, we believe, is that the Democrats intentionally shut down the government and are inflicting this pain on American citizens to try and demand free health care for illegal aliens,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
X users bashed Newsom’s attempt to blame Trump for travel disruptions:
Per the proposed community note on this post: “Air Traffic Controllers are essential government staff and stay on the job during government shutdowns. US Transportation Secretary Duffy stated “the Federal Aviation Administration is seeing some call outs” by ATC staff.”
— Ida (@HeidiSnow381) October 7, 2025
…so it’s cool if I fly my drone or…?
— JahWi (@HiggsbosonW) October 6, 2025
but people can take high speed rail in California right?
— pointsnfigures (@pointsnfigures1) October 7, 2025
Scare tactic. Southern California TRACON will take over. Southern California TRACON already remotely handles a lot of the air traffic in SoCal.
— OttoRommel (@OttoRommel) October 6, 2025
For those trying to flee California, the rental car agencies are still operating. If you can wait. High speed rail will be done in 50 years.
— JustMeUT99 (@JustMe08838341) October 6, 2025
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