Coast Guard debunks Schumer’s accusations about DOGE and Brooklyn Bridge accident – Washington Examiner
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer recently made allegations suggesting that budget cuts from the Trump management and the digital asset DOGE affected water traffic control, contributing to a tragic incident in which a Mexican navy training ship collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in two fatalities and multiple injuries. Schumer argued that the Trump administration’s decisions, including the firing of Coast guard Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan and a hiring freeze, undermined the capabilities of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Vessel Traffic Service.
However, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security quickly refuted Schumer’s claims. Thay emphasized that the Vessel Traffic Service was operational and effectively managed during the incident, noting that staffing levels were unaffected by any hiring freeze. both agencies criticized Schumer for making unsubstantiated accusations,urging him to verify his details before disseminating it to the public.
Coast Guard debunks Schumer’s accusations about DOGE and Brooklyn Bridge accident
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) launched wild accusations on Sunday that the Trump administration and budget cuts initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency contributed to the Mexican navy training ship that crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge, which killed two people and injured 20.
“With the Brooklyn Bridge strike last night, I’m fighting for answers about whether Trump and DOGE have impacted water traffic control,” said Schumer. “We know they’ve been meddling with U.S. Coast Guard staffing. Trump relieved Admiral Linda Fagan as Commandant of the USCG, and that position is still vacant.”
“And the hiring freeze has limited the ability for the USCG to staff up the Vehicle Traffic Service, that’s their traffic control operation that acts like Air Traffic Control but on water,” Schumer added. “We need action for our national security, infrastructure protection, and public safety.”
Schumer never provided any proof to support his accusation. On Monday, the U.S. Coast Guard rejected the senator’s accusation, explaining that its traffic service system was fully operational.
“The U.S. Coast Guard’s New York Vessel Traffic Service was fully functional during the incident, operating in accordance with established procedures to manage commercial traffic and facilitate safe navigation,” a spokesperson from the Coast Guard said.
“Our response included launching a crew from Station New York, establishing a temporary safety zone, and coordinating with NYPD, FDNY, and NYC DOT,” the spokesperson added.
The Coast Guard is the second federal agency in as many days to refute Schumer’s claims about the tragic accident. On Sunday, the Department of Homeland Security denied the New York senator’s assertions and scolded him for making such an accusation.
DHS REBUKES SCHUMER OVER COMMENTS ABOUT MEXICAN NAVY SHIP CRASH
“Minority Leader Schumer’s accusations that a hiring freeze led to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Vessel Traffic Services not being adequately staffed are FALSE,” the DHS wrote on X. “The US Coast Guard has been fully supported and been exempt from hiring freezes. Additionally, this incident had nothing to do with Vessel Traffic Services — when a ship loses propulsion in a high current area, the vessel needs to engage all capabilities to stop and ideally tugs are nearby to support.”
“We encourage Minority Leader Schumer to get his facts straight before he misleads the American people,” the DHS added.
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