A heated exchange unfolded online between Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, centering on the controversial work being done by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The sparring began when Duffy mentioned that DOGE personnel would help upgrade aviation systems in response to deadly plane crashes that occurred during his brief tenure. Clinton, however, accused Duffy of allowing the department to “deteriorate,” conveniently overlooking the myriad transportation mishaps that marked the tenure of his predecessor, Pete Buttigieg.
Clinton challenged the competency of DOGE personnel, asserting that many lacked the necessary experience to handle aviation system upgrades. Her biting remarks, particularly that “most of them aren’t old enough to rent a car,” suggested a skepticism about their capability to address serious safety concerns. This criticism was met with Duffy’s retort that the real culprits for the nation’s crumbling infrastructure were the “experienced Washington bureaucrats,” asserting that innovation and fresh ideas from Musk’s young team were essential to restoring safety and efficiency in transportation.
The exchange escalated when Duffy accused Clinton’s family of “obscene grifting” connected to USAID, a fiery allegation that only intensified the stakes of the argument. He emphasized his commitment to revamping the department’s focus on safety and innovation, saying, “Your team had its chance and failed.” This remark underscored the broader dispute over which administration could better manage the challenges of infrastructure and safety, with Duffy confident in involving younger personnel to move things forward.
Amidst this political skirmish, significant safety concerns loomed. Duffy had previously pledged to prioritize aviation safety and address the issues plaguing Boeing, aiming to restore public confidence in the aviation sector. He also affirmed that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would continue its investigation into Tesla’s advanced driving technology, showing he is keeping the larger safety narrative at the forefront of his agenda. Meanwhile, the political blame game continued, with Biden’s administration criticizing Buttigieg for attempting to politicize a recent train derailment linked to former President Trump’s visit to the affected area, reinforcing the ongoing tension in a landscape still grappling with past and present transportation crises.
