Schumer Claims Trump and DOGE Cuts Will Lead to More Plane Crashes

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer launched a fiery attack on President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on Wednesday, accusing them of prioritizing tax cuts for billionaires over public safety. Speaking from the Senate floor, Schumer suggested that staffing cuts at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) orchestrated by Trump and DOGE leader Elon Musk could lead to more plane crashes.

“The more Donald Trump and DOGE indiscriminately hack away at public agencies, the greater harm to Americans’ well-being and even their safety,” Schumer said. His remarks come just days after a tragic plane crash near Reagan National Airport, which left many questioning the state of aviation safety.

The Allegations:

• FAA Cuts: Schumer claims that recent layoffs included hundreds of FAA workers, including vital air safety personnel.

• Safety Risks: He argued that cutting the very staff responsible for keeping air travel safe is “nothing short of reckless.”

• Motivation for Cuts: Schumer suggested that the cuts were driven by a desire to provide “billionaire buddies with another tax break,” accusing Trump of endangering lives to benefit the wealthy.

The criticism follows President Trump’s initiative to streamline federal agencies and reduce bureaucratic waste through DOGE. Under Musk’s leadership, DOGE has identified billions in potential savings by eliminating non-essential positions and modernizing outdated processes.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who took office just 24 hours before the Reagan Airport crash, defended the administration’s actions. He emphasized that staffing cuts and federal worker buyouts did not affect air traffic controllers or essential safety personnel. “We are ready to work with DOGE to make transportation more efficient and safer,” Duffy stated, pushing back against Schumer’s narrative.

Elon Musk also touted DOGE’s reforms as necessary steps toward transparency and efficiency. Recently, DOGE uncovered $4.7 trillion in untraceable Treasury payments due to missing budget codes and identified $750 million in potential savings by eliminating paper checks in government transactions.

Schumer’s remarks come amid heightened public scrutiny over aviation safety. However, FAA data shows that air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, there were 0.07 fatalities per billion passenger miles in 2023, a figure far lower than road or rail travel.

Critics argue that Schumer’s alarmist statements are more about politics than genuine safety concerns. “This is just another attempt to paint Trump as reckless,” said a senior GOP aide. “But the numbers don’t lie. These cuts are focused on waste, not critical safety roles.”

Schumer’s criticism also ties into a larger debate over Trump’s tax policies. The administration has pushed for more tax relief, aiming to stimulate economic growth and boost American competitiveness. Democrats, however, see these moves as giveaways to the wealthy, using public safety as a rallying point to push back against fiscal conservatism.

As the investigation into the recent crash continues, Trump’s administration remains firm in its commitment to balancing efficiency with safety. The president’s supporters argue that cutting bureaucratic bloat while safeguarding essential services is not only possible but necessary.

Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for more insights into federal spending, aviation safety, and the Trump administration’s efforts to streamline government operations.