Psaki: The Trump administration fails the 3 a.m. phone call test
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Who is discussing the recent air traffic incidents?
Okay, when we asked Pete Buttigieg, who Chris just mentioned is going to be our first guest, he's coming up shortly, but when we asked him to come on our first show just a couple weeks ago, I kind of thought we'd mainly talk about politics, and we definitely will. We will talk a lot about politics. He's got a lot to say about it. What I didn't realize at the time is he would also kind of be the perfect person to talk to at this moment for a very different reason. I mean, just hours ago, we learned that last night, just after midnight at San Francisco International Airport, two United Airlines planes clipped each other's wings. They were still in the tarmac when it happened. Thankfully, nobody, of course, was hurt.
But it, of course, isn't an isolated incident. I mean, it comes on the heels of yesterday's news that a radar failure left the air traffic controllers managing Newark Airport operating blind. without radar or radio communication for 90 seconds last week, 90 seconds. And by the way, NBC also reported late today that air traffic control at Newark lost contact with pilots at least two other times since August, not an isolated incident either. But that latest incident that I just mentioned that occurred last week was so bad that it led to multiple FAA employees being placed on trauma leave. Of course, why wouldn't it? It's incredibly traumatic.
What is the significance of the '3 a.m. phone call' ad?
But given how out of control this all feels and how scared not just the air traffic controllers, but many people out there are to fly right now, I keep thinking about an ad that ran during the 2008 primary campaign, which you also may remember.
It's 3 a.m. and your children are safe and asleep. But there's a phone in the White House and it's ringing. Something's happening in the world. Your vote will decide who answers that call. Whether it's someone who already knows the world's leaders, knows the military, someone tested and ready to lead in a dangerous world. It's 3 a.m. and your children are safe and asleep. Who do you want answering the phone?
Now, obviously, that ad at the time, 15 years ago, was meant to paint a relative political newcomer, Barack Obama, as someone who was totally unprepared to deal with the middle of the night calls when a crisis hits. And to be fair, it is a fundamental question that everybody should consider about any president and the people they surround themselves with. And I keep thinking about that ad because right now, the guy sitting in the Oval Office picked this guy to answer the middle of the night calls about what is happening in our skies.
This is the true story of five ex-real-worlders picked for the ride of their lives.
Why is Sean Duffy's appointment as Transportation Secretary controversial?
Sean from the real world Boston, who you just saw there, is, of course, Trump Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Now, part of the reason I am bringing up that he was on MTV's Road Rules All Stars, a good season, if I may say, back in the 1990s, is because it's kind of funny. But the other reason is that this was the most relevant part of Mr. Duffy's resume to lead the Transportation Department. And I am not kidding here. I'm not being tongue in cheek or exaggerating. I mean, a local reporter in the Wisconsin Examiner who has covered Duffy's career since 2009 put it this way. He said, quote, I only have one account in all those years when he even mentioned a transportation issue. The reporter goes on. I love the emphasis. That's it. One mention of a transportation issue.
So, yeah, I mean, Sean from the real world Boston is the guy in charge of our nation's skies at the moment. He is the one who would answer the 3 a.m. phone call. And while he was not picked by Trump for his work on the real world that we know of, never say never, we don't entirely know for sure, he was picked in part, in large part, because of his work on Fox News. And because of his willingness to go on national TV and basically politicize any issue. A willingness that seems to continue to this day. I mean, case in point, the aforementioned Newark airport crisis.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
Who is discussing the recent air traffic incidents?
0:00–1:20
2
What is the significance of the '3 a.m. phone call' ad?
1:20–2:44
3
Why is Sean Duffy's appointment as Transportation Secretary controversial?
2:44–6:11
4
What are the challenges facing the FAA under the current administration?
6:11–11:17
5
How is the military being affected by recent decisions?
11:17–17:43
6
What are Pete Buttigieg's views on current transportation issues?
17:43–21:44
7
How does Pete Buttigieg react to the criticisms of the current administration?
21:44–29:55
8
What are the future prospects for the Democratic Party according to Pete Buttigieg?
29:55–42:23
Speakers
3 identifiedMore from The Briefing with Jen Psaki
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