Gov. Kathy Hochul calls on Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to resign after ground stop creates travel mess

NEW YORK (WABC) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is calling for Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to resign, or for President Donald Trump to remove him from office, following a nationwide disruption that halted air travel and stranded travelers across the country.

In a statement, Hochul said America’s airspace “ground to a halt” Thursday, leading to thousands of canceled flights and leaving passengers stranded nationwide. She said more than 3,500 aircraft were already in the air when radar and communications systems began to fail.

“We’re fortunate no lives were lost,” Hochul said.

Hochul argued that chronic air traffic controller shortages and repeated communications breakdowns have become an ongoing problem under Duffy’s leadership. She accused the transportation secretary of focusing on “starring in his own reality show” instead of addressing challenges facing the agency.

With millions of Americans expected to travel during the holiday season, Hochul said families deserve answers and confidence in the safety of the nation’s aviation system. She called on Congress to launch a full investigation into the disruption and determine what caused the failures.

“Sean Duffy must resign, or President Trump must remove him immediately,” Hochul said in the statement.

FULL STATEMENT BELOW

“Sean Duffy must resign, or President Trump must remove him immediately.

“America’s airspace ground to a halt yesterday, leaving thousands of flights canceled and travelers stranded across the country. More than 3,500 planes were already in the air as radar and communications systems faltered. We’re fortunate no lives were lost.

“From chronic air traffic controller shortages to repeated communications breakdowns, serious lapses in our aviation system have become a pattern on Sean Duffy’s watch.

“Through it all, he’s been more focused on starring in his own reality show than addressing the crisis at his agency.

“With millions of Americans preparing to travel for the holidays, families deserve answers and confidence in the safety of our skies. Congress must launch a full investigation to determine what went wrong and ensure it never happens again.”