Air traffic control systems across the United States have been thrown into chaos, with reports of widespread malfunctions clogging up skies from coast to coast—and fingers are pointing squarely at Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for dropping the ball. Over the past week, glitches in radar systems, communication breakdowns, and software freezes have grounded flights, delayed thousands of passengers, and left pilots circling in holding patterns, all while the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)—under Buttigieg’s Department of Transportation (DOT)—scrambles for answers. Posts on X and breaking news from outlets like Fox and CNN highlight outages in major hubs like Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas, with some insiders claiming the aging infrastructure, neglected under Buttigieg’s watch, finally hit a breaking point. The timing couldn’t be worse, with holiday travel looming and public trust in air safety already shaky.
 

Critics argue Buttigieg’s mismanagement is the root cause, painting a picture of a DOT more focused on optics than operational grit. Since taking the helm in 2021, he’s been accused of prioritizing climate initiatives and equity programs—like his $1 billion “Reconnecting Communities” grants—over the nuts-and-bolts maintenance of critical systems like the FAA’s NextGen modernization, which was supposed to upgrade air traffic control but remains years behind schedule and billions over budget. Whistleblowers cited in a February 26, 2025, Wall Street Journal piece claim staff shortages and ignored maintenance pleas have festered under his tenure, with one veteran controller tweeting, “We’ve been screaming about this for years—Pete’s too busy cutting ribbons to care.” The result? A system so brittle that a single cyber glitch or power surge can cascade into nationwide gridlock.
 

The fallout is a nightmare for travelers and a black eye for America’s reputation as a logistics powerhouse. With over 5,000 flights delayed or canceled in the past 48 hours alone, per FlightAware, businesses are losing millions, and passengers are fuming—some stranded mid-journey with no clear ETA. Buttigieg’s response, a vague presser on February 26 promising “swift action” and blaming “legacy issues,” hasn’t quelled the outrage, especially as clips circulate of him dodging tough questions about FAA funding cuts. For a nation that prides itself on efficiency, this air traffic fiasco feels like a self-inflicted wound, courtesy of a DOT head who, detractors say, can’t manage his way out of a paper bag. If he doesn’t get a grip soon, the skies—and his legacy—could stay grounded for good.