The Trump administration attributed a massive nationwide aviation disruption to "overloaded" systems after the Federal Aviation Administration issued a total ground stop that temporarily halted all departing flights across the United States.
The emergency order, which caused thousands of delays and cancellations, marked the largest U.S. ground stop since September 11, 2001, affecting domestic departures and suspending inbound international flights from Europe and Canada. Officials at the White House initially pointed to an air traffic control communications issue as the root cause, prompting investigations by FAA technicians.
During a White House briefing on Friday afternoon, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin addressed the incident alongside U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Mullin assured the public that there was zero evidence and no indication of a cyberattack against the United States.
Following the suspension, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the nationwide ground stop had been lifted, though he cautioned that the travel disruptions would take time to unwind as stranded passengers awaited rescheduled flights at airports.
