FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — During a press briefing at the White House, President Donald Trump began with a prayer and a moment of silence in memory of the victims involved in a tragic incident at Reagan National Airport on Wednesday. However, his remarks swiftly shifted to criticism of diversity in hiring practices, alleging—without substantial evidence—that these practices contributed to the unfortunate event.
Trump directed blame at various parties, including the pilot of the helicopter involved, the air traffic control system, previous administration officials such as Joe Biden, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, whom he referred to as a “disaster.” Buttigieg, in turn, labeled Trump’s comments as “despicable.”
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and authorities have yet to establish a cause or identify those responsible for the collision between an American Airlines aircraft and a military helicopter. Reporters took the opportunity to interrogate Trump regarding his claims and implications concerning diversity in hiring.
When questioned about his assertion linking diversity initiatives to the crash, Trump speculated that past administrations had deemed the FAA workforce as “too white.” He failed to provide evidence for this claim while simultaneously acknowledging that there was no confirmed responsibility from the FAA or air traffic controllers related to the incident.
In response to a reporter’s question regarding whether he believed diversity hiring directly caused the crash, Trump stated, “It just could have been,” insisting that the standards for air traffic controllers require exceptional cognitive abilities. He asserted that heightened mental capacity is crucial for managing complex aviation scenarios.
His response drew further examination, with reporters pointing out that programs advocating for the hiring of individuals with disabilities were established well before President Biden’s administration. They emphasized that such resources had long been present on the FAA’s website, including throughout Trump’s first term.
Trump dismissed this point, claiming he had altered previous policies to align with what he believed to be superior standards. He reiterated his view that all practitioners in aviation must be the most competent, citing the need for “the brightest, the smartest, the sharpest” individuals in these roles.
He also expressed the importance of having his new transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, in place during a crisis, affirming the need for expedited confirmations of appointees. Trump criticized Democrats for allegedly stalling the confirmation process, emphasizing a desire for the swift appointment of qualified personnel.
As for public concern regarding air travel safety following the incident, Trump assured reporters that people should feel entirely safe flying. He noted that he planned to fly to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach over the weekend, reinforcing the message that the aviation industry maintains the highest safety standards.
Concluding the briefing, Trump reiterated that he did not hold air traffic controllers responsible for the accident but raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident. He confidently asserted that flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation, promising that his administration would continue to prioritize the hiring of highly qualified individuals within the aviation sector.
