Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sat down with Joe Pags for a deep dive into the biggest issues facing America’s transportation system. From air traffic controller shortages to FEMA’s failure in Western North Carolina, Duffy held nothing back—calling out misinformation, explaining the challenges he inherited, and reaffirming his commitment to keeping Americans safe.
Duffy, who takes immense pride in his family and service, described his role in the administration as a “no-brainer” decision. He emphasized how the relationship between the American people and their government is fundamentally changing, with his job being to ensure that transportation works for the people—not against them.
One of the first crises he faced came just days after being sworn in: a harrowing mid-air collision that put the nation on edge. He explained that in today’s fast-moving world, X (formerly Twitter) has become the quickest way to share urgent information, a tool his department has fully embraced to keep the public informed. When asked point-blank if air travel is safe, Duffy didn’t hesitate: “Of course air travel is safe.” He explained that the system would shut down immediately if safety were in question—reassuring travelers that the rigorous standards remain intact.
But what about DEI? Has it compromised air travel? Duffy made it clear: safety is the standard. Travelers don’t care what a pilot or air traffic controller looks like—they care about the best and brightest guiding their flights. He pointed to absurd changes attempted under previous administrations, such as renaming the cockpit to “flight deck,” as examples of unnecessary distractions from real issues.
When Pags pressed Duffy on claims that a thousand qualified air traffic controllers were blocked under the Obama administration, Duffy confirmed it. “Obama wanted to do some other testing about what aptitude you have.” He stressed that while he supports hiring people of all backgrounds, they must be the best—without exception. Fixing the current shortage is a priority, but Duffy reminded listeners: “I can’t snap my fingers and make things go faster.” The rigorous process of training air traffic professionals takes time, but steps are being taken to streamline it.
Duffy also shut down media spin regarding FAA budget cuts, calling it a blatant lie. “Not only did I not fire anybody at air traffic control, we actually hired people during that same time.” He slammed left-wing media for pushing false narratives, calling it “disgusting, shameful,” and “shouldn’t happen.”
The conversation then turned to FEMA’s disastrous response in Western North Carolina, which Duffy called “atrocious.” He didn’t mince words: Americans pay taxes to be taken care of in a crisis. FEMA’s failures have only strengthened the Trump administration’s resolve to ensure government serves the people—not the bureaucrats.
Finally, Duffy delivered a blistering takedown of NYC’s congestion pricing plan—exposing it as nothing more than another tax on hardworking New Yorkers. He broke down exactly what’s happening, explaining that NYC taxpayers have already paid for these roads and should not be forced to pay again just to get to work. Instead of taxing drivers, he argued, “Make the train experience so amazing, so beautiful, so wonderful that people want to take it.” The New York subway system could be world-class, but instead, the city is punishing commuters while failing to improve public transit.
This interview is packed with insights you won’t hear anywhere else. Watch the full conversation now and get the real story straight from Secretary Sean Duffy!