Duffy-Hegseth Dispute: Tensions Over Air Safety Surface in Trump's Cabinet
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the Pentagon regarding the use of Army helicopters in Washington, utilizing X and cable news to seek clarification. However, on Tuesday, he adopted a more measured approach.
TroibNews 
The ongoing concerns regarding safety at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport have escalated into a public dispute involving two former Fox News personalities who lead President Donald Trump’s Transportation and Defense departments. This change in tone began when DOT Secretary Sean Duffy attempted to smooth things over on Tuesday afternoon.
During an appearance on Fox News, Duffy expressed his appreciation for Secretary Hegseth's decision to suspend helicopter flights to the Pentagon, some of which have disrupted regional airline traffic. "We're going to look at it together and figure out what is the pathway forward,” Duffy remarked.
His comments came shortly after he publicly criticized the Defense Department for its lack of transparency regarding its helicopter operations. "The DOD has promised radical transparency," he stated on Monday. "They should tell us who is qualified to take a helicopter out of the Pentagon. I don't know. But they have to tell us."
By Tuesday, Duffy had softened his stance. In addition to his television appearance that afternoon, he released a statement to PMG indicating that the two agencies are collaborating to find a solution that addresses military needs while ensuring the safety of travelers. He also praised his ongoing relationship with Hegseth.
As of now, Hegseth’s department has not publicly responded to Duffy’s comments, and the Pentagon did not provide comments regarding his remarks.
The tensions between the DOT and the Pentagon, while not uncommon in Trump’s administration, have played out on an unusual public stage over the past week. These events follow a tragic incident three months ago in which a collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet resulted in the deaths of 67 people near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
This crash, the deadliest air disaster in nearly 25 years, has intensified scrutiny of military helicopter operations in the busy airspace around Washington. Questions have arisen about how many helicopters are used to transport military or political VIPs, especially since some helicopters do not activate transmitters that would provide air traffic controllers with clear data on their positions, speed, and direction, citing sensitive missions.
During Senate Commerce Committee hearings in March, Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman explained that the Army permits the deactivation of such transmitting technology for sensitive missions with commander approval, and noted that these protocols are under review.
Recent frustrations boiled over after the FAA reported that two passenger planes had to alter their flight paths on Friday to avoid colliding with another Army Black Hawk. An FAA official sent an email to lawmakers, stating that the military aircraft had taken "a scenic route around the Pentagon." Duffy reacted with a post on X, calling the situation “unacceptable” and declaring, “I’ll be talking to the @DeptofDefense to ask why the hell our rules were disregarded.”
A Defense Department insider, speaking anonymously, remarked that typically Cabinet secretaries would handle such issues privately, but noted that in the “new era” of the Trump administration, they are more inclined to address matters publicly on platforms like Fox News.
This clash occurs while both Cabinet members contend with their own sets of challenges. Duffy is managing significant flight delays, air traffic controller shortages, and equipment outages affecting real-time aircraft visibility around Newark, New Jersey. Meanwhile, Hegseth is dealing with a series of crises, including issues related to an insecure communications app, alleged internal leaks, and the dismissal of military leaders.
On Monday, Duffy spoke on the Laura Ingraham show on Fox News, coinciding with the Army's announcement to suspend certain helicopter operations to the Pentagon pending a review. He criticized the Pentagon for its lack of disclosure regarding helicopter flights in the area. "Those are the answers that we need," he stated concerning the Pentagon’s helicopter operations. "When we have these near misses, you gotta stop the traffic."
Throughout this exchange, Duffy has not necessarily emerged victorious in the public relations realm. Mediaite even suggested that he appeared to "squirm" during Monday’s Fox segment when Ingraham offered to call Hegseth on his behalf.
Some aviation industry insiders, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, indicated that Duffy has exhibited signs of frustration and that the Pentagon likely did not appreciate the FAA's description of the military flight's diversion as a “scenic route.”
"Anyone who knows anything about military aviation operations would find this offensive," remarked one DOD insider, who added that the FAA's characterization indicates a “lack” of professionalism.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
During an appearance on Fox News, Duffy expressed his appreciation for Secretary Hegseth's decision to suspend helicopter flights to the Pentagon, some of which have disrupted regional airline traffic. "We're going to look at it together and figure out what is the pathway forward,” Duffy remarked.
His comments came shortly after he publicly criticized the Defense Department for its lack of transparency regarding its helicopter operations. "The DOD has promised radical transparency," he stated on Monday. "They should tell us who is qualified to take a helicopter out of the Pentagon. I don't know. But they have to tell us."
By Tuesday, Duffy had softened his stance. In addition to his television appearance that afternoon, he released a statement to PMG indicating that the two agencies are collaborating to find a solution that addresses military needs while ensuring the safety of travelers. He also praised his ongoing relationship with Hegseth.
As of now, Hegseth’s department has not publicly responded to Duffy’s comments, and the Pentagon did not provide comments regarding his remarks.
The tensions between the DOT and the Pentagon, while not uncommon in Trump’s administration, have played out on an unusual public stage over the past week. These events follow a tragic incident three months ago in which a collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet resulted in the deaths of 67 people near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
This crash, the deadliest air disaster in nearly 25 years, has intensified scrutiny of military helicopter operations in the busy airspace around Washington. Questions have arisen about how many helicopters are used to transport military or political VIPs, especially since some helicopters do not activate transmitters that would provide air traffic controllers with clear data on their positions, speed, and direction, citing sensitive missions.
During Senate Commerce Committee hearings in March, Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman explained that the Army permits the deactivation of such transmitting technology for sensitive missions with commander approval, and noted that these protocols are under review.
Recent frustrations boiled over after the FAA reported that two passenger planes had to alter their flight paths on Friday to avoid colliding with another Army Black Hawk. An FAA official sent an email to lawmakers, stating that the military aircraft had taken "a scenic route around the Pentagon." Duffy reacted with a post on X, calling the situation “unacceptable” and declaring, “I’ll be talking to the @DeptofDefense to ask why the hell our rules were disregarded.”
A Defense Department insider, speaking anonymously, remarked that typically Cabinet secretaries would handle such issues privately, but noted that in the “new era” of the Trump administration, they are more inclined to address matters publicly on platforms like Fox News.
This clash occurs while both Cabinet members contend with their own sets of challenges. Duffy is managing significant flight delays, air traffic controller shortages, and equipment outages affecting real-time aircraft visibility around Newark, New Jersey. Meanwhile, Hegseth is dealing with a series of crises, including issues related to an insecure communications app, alleged internal leaks, and the dismissal of military leaders.
On Monday, Duffy spoke on the Laura Ingraham show on Fox News, coinciding with the Army's announcement to suspend certain helicopter operations to the Pentagon pending a review. He criticized the Pentagon for its lack of disclosure regarding helicopter flights in the area. "Those are the answers that we need," he stated concerning the Pentagon’s helicopter operations. "When we have these near misses, you gotta stop the traffic."
Throughout this exchange, Duffy has not necessarily emerged victorious in the public relations realm. Mediaite even suggested that he appeared to "squirm" during Monday’s Fox segment when Ingraham offered to call Hegseth on his behalf.
Some aviation industry insiders, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, indicated that Duffy has exhibited signs of frustration and that the Pentagon likely did not appreciate the FAA's description of the military flight's diversion as a “scenic route.”
"Anyone who knows anything about military aviation operations would find this offensive," remarked one DOD insider, who added that the FAA's characterization indicates a “lack” of professionalism.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
