New York Governor demands Sean Duffy’s resignation after nationwide US flight ground stop: ‘Trump must remove him’

Detailed summary

New York Governor Kathy Hochul called for Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to resign or be removed, citing persistent aviation-system problems.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has called for US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to resign or be removed from office by President Donald Trump following a nationwide aviation disruption that forced a ground stop on Friday.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Hochul criticised Duffy's handling of problems within the country's aviation system, pointing to persistent air traffic controller shortages and repeated communication failures.

She accused the Transportation Secretary of focusing more on his public image than addressing serious challenges facing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“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,” Hochul said.

She added that Duffy had been “more focused on starring in his own reality show than addressing the crisis at his agency”.

Hochul urged President Trump to remove Duffy “immediately” if he did not step down voluntarily.

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The New York governor also called on Congress to investigate the circumstances surrounding Friday's nationwide ground stop, stressing the importance of public confidence in aviation safety ahead of the busy holiday travel period.

"With millions of Americans preparing to travel for the holidays, families deserve answers and confidence in the safety of our skies," she said.

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