Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy may be new to the job, but he doesn’t necessarily want unsolicited advice.
But that seems to be what played out Wednesday when Duffy announced with a post on X that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will start work on upgrading the aviation system.
“Big News – Talked to the DOGE team. They are going to plug in to help upgrade our aviation system,” Duffy wrote.
Clinton reposted the tweet and added her own two cents.
“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?” she wrote.
Duffy shot back at Clinton, who lost the 2016 presidential election to President Donald Trump.
“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,” Duffy wrote back.
Elon Musk, the head of DOGE, the entity charged with uncovering government waste, fraud, and abuse, said his team will seek “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!” Musk posted.
Another X user chimed in, noting, “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.”
“I agree,” Musk responded.
There were back-to-back fatal aviation accidents in the U.S. last week.
The first was a collision between a military helicopter and a passenger jet near the Ronald Reagan Washington National airport (DCA).
The second involved a Learjet 55 medevac jet that crashed in Philadelphia. At least seven people died.
