Boeing used to be the gold standard of American aviation. Now, after a series of disastrous failures, fatal crashes, and major safety lapses, the company is scrambling to rebuild trust—and the Trump administration is making sure they do it the right way.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy laid it out in clear terms: Boeing lost its way. And until they prove they’ve changed, the federal government is keeping them on a tight leash.
Boeing’s troubles aren’t new. In 2018 and 2019, two fatal crashes involving the 737 MAX killed hundreds of people, exposing deep flaws in the company’s design and safety protocols. Then, in January 2024, a terrifying mid-air emergency on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 raised even more questions.
The plane was missing four critical bolts, leading to a blowout mid-flight. This wasn’t just an oversight—it was a catastrophic failure that shook public confidence in America’s biggest aircraft manufacturer.
Duffy didn’t hold back in his assessment:
“When you breach the trust of the American people… we’re going to put the screws to you to make sure you change your ways and start doing things right.”
Duffy, alongside acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau, visited Boeing’s 737 factory in Renton, Washington to see if the company is serious about change. Boeing’s CEO Kelly Ortberg is set to testify before Congress on April 2, where lawmakers will demand answers.
Boeing claims it’s making progress, but Duffy made it clear: talk is cheap. The 38-plane monthly production cap imposed after the Alaska Airlines failure isn’t going anywhere until Boeing proves it’s serious about safety.
“They get it and they are making the changes in manufacturing,” Duffy said. “I think they are making progress but they still need tough love.”
Trump’s administration isn’t interested in unnecessary red tape, but it won’t take chances on American lives, either. Trump wants smart regulation—not handouts. If Boeing fixes its mess, production limits could be lifted. But until then, Duffy says they’re not even close to earning that trust back.
Boeing isn’t just facing government oversight—it’s also in hot water with the Justice Department. In July, the company pleaded guilty to criminal fraud conspiracy and agreed to pay $243.6 million after violating a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement.
That’s right—Boeing already got a second chance, and they blew it. Now, Trump’s administration isn’t playing around.
At the same time, Boeing is vital to America’s aviation industry and economy. Duffy said Trump wants to make sure the company isn’t restricted unnecessarily, but the priority is safety.
“President Trump does not want the Department of Transportation to take risks with safety but wants us to not be too restrictive. He wants us to be smart.”
Boeing needs to prove itself—not just to Washington, but to the American people. Until then, they’re flying under a watchful eye.
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