FAA Administrator Whitaker to Step Down
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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Whitaker announced he will step down on January 20, 2025, coinciding with President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. Whitaker, who was confirmed to a five-year term in October 2023, has overseen the agency’s response to key safety issues, including Boeing’s operations after a January 2024 mid-air emergency.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, a close adviser to Trump, criticized Whitaker earlier this year, calling for his resignation after the FAA fined SpaceX $633,000 for violating launch license requirements.
In a memo to FAA employees, Whitaker expressed his confidence in the agency's future, stating, “As I conclude my time at the FAA, my confidence in you to meet our safety mission has never been stronger.”
Deputy Administrator Katie Thomson will also leave her role on January 10, as Trump’s administration prepares to nominate new leadership for the agency.
