Musk's DOGE has been on a tear across the federal government in recent days. On Wednesday, he announced that the FAA was next.

The staffing numbers from 2023, the most recent year made available by the Federal Aviation Administration, show the airport is above the staffing standard and just below the optimal staffing level.

Air controller Tyler Casper controls the taxi ways from the 150-foot control tower in 2008. Last week’s mid-air collision highlighted the air traffic controller shortage but FAA documents show Sacramento’s staffing is above its “staffing standards target.”

The new secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, appeared to walk back an enticement to retire, saying F.A.A. safety workers were exempt from the offer for federal workers.

Air traffic controllers are exempt from a buyout offer President Trump’s administration introduced last week to nearly 2 million federal workers, including controllers. The clarification follows two deadly plane crashes,

The air traffic controllers union had asked for clarification on whether members were eligible for the federal buyout and only received confirmation from a report on CNN.

A viral post shared on X claims President Donald Trump fired multiple federal employees, including 3,000 air traffic controllers, ahead of a recent fatal crash between a Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial flight.