On January 30, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a resignation package offering employees eight months' pay, coinciding with a tragic midair collision at Reagan National Airport.

The collision resulted in the deaths of all 67 people on board an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter, intensifying concerns regarding air traffic controller shortages that have persisted since before the Trump administration.

NATCA President Nick Daniels voiced serious concerns about the implications for aviation safety and the air traffic control system due to the ongoing loss of experienced personnel amid a staffing crisis.

Despite assurances from the administration that public safety workers would be shielded from cuts, the FAA has struggled to recruit air traffic controllers for nearly a decade, a challenge compounded by the rising volume of commercial flights.

On January 31, 2025, FAA employees received an email urging them to consider resigning for better opportunities in the private sector, reflecting the administration's broader strategy for federal workforce reductions.

The union representing air traffic controllers has advised its members against accepting the resignation offer, citing a lack of clarity regarding which positions would be affected.

An official from the Office for Personnel Management (OPM) confirmed that air traffic controllers are not eligible for the resignation offer and are exempt from a hiring freeze enacted by President Trump.

Public policy expert Don Kettl warned that the ambiguity surrounding the administration's policies could deter recruitment for vital government roles, including air traffic controllers.

An FAA report revealed that staffing levels at the airport were below normal during the fatal crash, with one air traffic controller managing the workload typically shared by two.

James Hall, former head of the National Transportation Safety Board, stressed the necessity of preserving the integrity of institutions responsible for public safety.