President Donald Trump is working tirelessly to reduce the impact of the ongoing government shutdown on the American people, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Friday during a conversation with Breitbart News. Duffy credited Trump’s leadership as focused, tireless, and driven by a commitment to serve, even as Democrats refuse to pass legislation to reopen the government.
Duffy confirmed that the Department of Transportation is scaling back flights due to staffing concerns. Air traffic controllers, many of whom have already missed a paycheck, are increasingly unable to remain at work without pay. The department plans to reduce flights gradually to minimize safety risks rather than allowing a full collapse of the air traffic system.
When asked about criticism from Democrats, Duffy was blunt: “Open the damn government. Vote to open the government.” He dismissed complaints about the flight cuts, arguing that those responsible for the shutdown are the same ones blaming the administration for handling its fallout.
Duffy praised President Trump’s work ethic and determination to shield Americans from the worst effects of the Democrat-led shutdown. “He’s a machine,” Duffy said. “Every moment he has, he’s maximizing. There’s not vacation time. It’s work time.”
In contrast, Duffy recalled how former President Barack Obama managed a previous shutdown by increasing public discomfort—closing open-air parks and hiking trails to create political pressure. Trump, by contrast, is focused on minimizing the damage, even if it means reducing the political leverage over his opponents.
“He wants the country to be better off,” Duffy said, emphasizing Trump’s consistent effort to avoid causing unnecessary pain to working families. “He wakes up every day and works longer, fuller days to make the country incredibly great and everyone prosperous.”
The current shutdown, caused by a lack of agreement in Congress, continues to test federal operations and worker morale. But within the Department of Transportation, officials say they are managing with limited resources while prioritizing the safety and well-being of the public—something they credit directly to President Trump’s leadership.
