House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries didn’t hold back during Monday’s press conference. He directed sharp criticism at President Donald Trump. The focus of his remarks was the recent travel nightmare at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Flight delays and cancellations have frustrated travelers since last week. Jeffries linked the problems to long-standing failures. He placed the blame squarely on the former administration’s handling of aviation oversight.
“Let’s be honest,” Jeffries said. “We must protect American air travel from incompetence and neglect.”
He responded to a question about Newark’s situation. Over 500 flights faced delays last Thursday. At least 200 were canceled. The disruption spilled into the weekend, and problems persisted into Monday.
Jeffries said Trump’s leadership damaged the Federal Aviation Administration. “They’ve decimated the agency,” he declared. “From day one, the Trump team worked to tear apart key government functions.”
According to Jeffries, these failures began years ago. He argued that Trump’s team stripped federal agencies of critical leadership. “They are not just mismanaging,” he claimed. “They are actively weakening our institutions.”
He acknowledged that Newark’s current issues need further investigation. However, he suggested that the damage may already be done. “Whether this specific crisis stems from their neglect remains to be seen,” Jeffries said.
Despite uncertainty about the direct cause, he called for congressional action. “The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee must investigate,” he urged. “We need answers, and we need solutions now.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy echoed concerns on Friday. He cited outdated systems as a major problem. Jeffries believes the core issue runs deeper. “Leadership matters,” he said. “The Trump era left us vulnerable.”
He repeated his message loud and clear: We must protect American air travel now, before further chaos unfolds.
As delays drag on, passengers continue to feel the consequences. Jeffries insisted that Washington must act quickly. “The public deserves safety and reliability,” he said. “Let’s fix this.”
He concluded with one more warning: “Unless we protect American air travel, these problems will only grow.”
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