Sean Duffy says Boeing needs 'tough love' to overcome failures, vows to restore trust in company

Sean Duffy, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Transportation, claimed on Wednesday that he believes Boeing needs "tough love" in order to recover from recent setbacks, and vowed to help restore public trust in the company.

Boeing has faced heavy criticism recently over several safety issues over the past year, including when a door plug blew out of one of Boeing's 737 Max 9 aircraft at around 15,000 feet in the air last January. A Boeing Starliner spacecraft also faced serious problems during its first crewed launch that left two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station.

Duffy told the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday that he would prioritize aviation safety if confirmed by the upper chamber, including by restoring faith in Boeing, according to The Hill.

“I think we have to ... push the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] to make sure they are implementing their safety plan," Duffy told the panel, saying that he would work with the FAA and Congress to "restore global confidence in Boeing and to ensure our skies are safe ... In one of my meetings someone said they need tough love, which is what they do need."

Trump nominated Duffy, a five-term former Wisconsin lawmaker and a former Fox News host, for Transportation secretary last year, citing his tenure in the House and his advocacy for fiscal responsibility within the federal government. 

Duffy also confirmed that he would allow the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to continue its investigation into the safety of Tesla's advanced driving technology. Tesla is led by Trump ally and billionaire Elon Musk. 

“Yes, I commit to this committee and to you that I will let NHTSA do their investigation,” Duffy said.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.