Jan 31, 2025 Story by: Editor
WASHINGTON (AP) — In the aftermath of the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in over 20 years, President Donald Trump on Thursday attributed the tragedy to diversity hiring policies, despite having no evidence to support his claims. He also raised questions about the actions of a U.S. Army helicopter pilot involved in the midair collision with a commercial airliner.
The crash, which took place Wednesday evening, claimed the lives of an estimated 67 people as a flight from Wichita, Kansas, was making its descent into Washington Reagan National Airport. At the time of Trump’s remarks, the federal investigation was only beginning, and emergency teams were still recovering bodies from the Potomac River.
While authorities have yet to determine the cause of the collision, Trump acknowledged it was too soon for conclusions. However, he quickly shifted toward speculation and political rhetoric—at a time when the public traditionally looks to the presidency for reassurance and factual information.
“Some really bad things happened and some things happened that shouldn’t have happened,” Trump stated from the White House briefing room, located just over three miles (five kilometers) from the crash site.
The former president placed blame on President Joe Biden’s administration, alleging that its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hiring policies prioritized diversity over competence. He claimed the FAA was recruiting individuals with “severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative.” Trump further asserted that individuals with hearing and vision impairments, paralysis, epilepsy, and “dwarfism” were being hired under the program.
Despite his accusations, Trump provided no proof that unqualified personnel were occupying critical aviation roles such as air traffic controllers. He also admitted there was no indication that air traffic control at Reagan National Airport had contributed to the crash.
When questioned about why he was blaming diversity initiatives, Trump responded, “because I have common sense, and unfortunately a lot of people don’t.”
He emphasized that air traffic controllers must possess exceptional abilities to ensure safety.
“They have to be talented, naturally talented geniuses,” Trump said. “You can’t have regular people doing their job.”
Trump also criticized former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a Democrat who previously ran against him in the 2020 election, referring to him as “a disaster.”
“He’s run it right into the ground with his diversity,” Trump said, using an expletive to describe Buttigieg’s leadership.
Buttigieg responded via a post on X, condemning Trump’s remarks as “despicable.”
“As families grieve, Trump should be leading, not lying,” he wrote.
Shortly after his remarks, Trump signed an executive order targeting “woke policies” in federal aviation, a move the White House made available for media coverage. The order followed a similar one he had signed the previous week, effectively dismantling diversity programs within the FAA.
“We want the most competent people,” Trump stated. “We don’t care what race they are.”
Asked whether he would visit the crash site, Trump gave a dismissive response.
“What’s the site? The water? You want me to go swimming?” he said.
FAA diversity initiatives are not new. Before being removed from the agency’s website under Trump’s administration, they had been featured since at least 2013, covering both Biden’s term and Trump’s first tenure, according to the Internet Archive.
Former FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker previously defended the agency against accusations that it was prioritizing diversity over qualifications. “While the FAA seeks qualified candidates from a range of sources, each must meet rigorous qualifications that of course vary by position,” Whitaker said last year.
The crash was the first major disaster of Trump’s new term, and his response evoked memories of his often-controversial briefings during the COVID-19 pandemic. His handling of the pandemic contributed to his loss in the 2020 election.
After leading a moment of silence and expressing condolences to the victims’ families, Trump engaged in speculation. “We do not know what led to this crash but we have some very strong opinions,” he said.
He questioned whether the helicopter pilot was using night-vision goggles, claimed there was “a pilot problem,” and described the helicopter’s angle as “unbelievably bad.” Trump also wondered why the Army pilot had not changed course, stating, “you can stop a helicopter very quickly.”
He further speculated about the air traffic controllers, noting that both aircraft were “at the same elevation,” adding, “they should have been at a different height.”
As Trump voiced his theories, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) maintained a more cautious stance.
“We look at facts, on our investigation, and that will take some time,” said Jennifer Homendy, chair of the NTSB.
Democratic leaders swiftly criticized Trump’s remarks.
“It’s one thing for internet pundits to spew conspiracy theories, it’s another for the president of the United States,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.
Despite the backlash, key Republican figures, including Vice President JD Vance, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, backed Trump’s position, echoing concerns over diversity-based hiring.
“When you don’t have the best standards in who you’re hiring, it means on the one hand, you’re not getting the best people in government,” Vance stated. “But on the other hand, it puts stress on the people who are already there.”
Trump assured Duffy, who had just taken office as Buttigieg’s successor, “It’s not your fault.” Duffy, standing alongside Trump at the White House podium, reinforced the administration’s stance:
“When Americans take off in airplanes, they should expect to land at their destination,” Duffy said. “We will not accept excuses.”
For years, federal officials have expressed concerns over an understaffed and overworked air traffic control system. Experts have warned that staffing shortages—exacerbated by factors such as low pay, long hours, and mandatory retirements—have increased safety risks.
“While these events are incredibly rare, our safety system is showing clear signs of strain that we cannot ignore,” Homendy told lawmakers in 2023. Around the same time, aviation experts released a report urging the FAA to improve staffing, equipment, and technology to enhance air safety. Source: AP News
