Buttigieg's DOT Spent $80B on DEI Grants, Delayed Air Traffic Upgrades: Records Revealed

The Controversy Surrounding Pete Buttigieg's Leadership at the Department of Transportation

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg faced significant criticism for his leadership during his tenure, particularly regarding the modernization of air traffic control systems. According to federal spending records and insights from airline industry insiders, the focus of his department seemed to shift away from critical infrastructure upgrades and toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

During a meeting with industry executives, Buttigieg reportedly questioned the value of air traffic control upgrades, suggesting that allowing more flights would not align with his interests. This perspective raised concerns among industry officials who felt he was more focused on DEI efforts than on addressing systemic issues within the aviation sector.

The data revealed that over four years, the Department of Transportation (DOT) allocated more than $80 billion in DEI grants, which represented a substantial portion of the agency’s annual budget. An industry official noted that Buttigieg showed little interest in air traffic control modernization and took no meaningful action to address the issue.

Critics argue that this focus on DEI initiatives contributed to staffing shortages and an outdated safety system that had not been updated since the Carter administration. Despite these claims, Buttigieg’s team maintained that their primary concern was safety across all transportation modes, including aviation, roads, and bridges.

Flight Delays and Systemic Challenges

Flight cancellations and delays were attributed to various factors, including weather, carrier actions, and failures in the national aviation system. According to the DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics, most flight cancellations (54.3%) were caused by weather, while 34.7% were due to air carriers. Only 10.6% were linked to the aviation system itself.

Despite these statistics, airline industry officials pointed out that much of the funding from the infrastructure law went toward maintenance rather than modernization. They highlighted ongoing challenges such as high dropout rates among new air traffic controllers and surging retirements, which have exacerbated staffing shortages.

In January 2023, the FAA faced a major crisis when it ordered the first nationwide grounding of flights since the 9/11 attacks due to a system outage. This incident underscored the vulnerabilities within the aviation system.

DEI Initiatives and Their Impact

Under Buttigieg’s leadership, the DOT approved roughly 400 DEI-related grants between 2021 and 2024, compared to just 60 grants during the previous administration. Programs like Justice40 aimed to direct 55% of around $150 billion in infrastructure investments to “disadvantaged communities.” However, some Democrats criticized the outcomes, including a $5 billion initiative to build 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations, which resulted in only seven being built by June 2024.

Buttigieg’s team defended the DEI grants, arguing that they did not interfere with the FAA’s operations. They emphasized that the FAA operates independently from other modal administrations, with separate budgets and programs.

Criticism and Political Implications

Buttigieg frequently criticized the airlines, blaming them for flight cancellations and “junk fees.” His department also proposed a rule that would give passengers compensation for delays and cancellations, prompting backlash from airline trade associations.

Despite these controversies, Buttigieg remains a prominent figure in Democratic politics, leading the 2028 presidential primary field with 16% support, according to a recent Emerson College poll. However, his approach to transportation policy has sparked debates about the balance between DEI initiatives and infrastructure modernization.

As the aviation sector continues to face challenges, the focus on modernizing air traffic control systems remains a pressing issue. With the passage of new legislation, the incoming Transportation Secretary is tasked with addressing these long-standing problems and ensuring the safety and efficiency of the nation’s air travel network.