NEW YORK — This week, President Donald Trump quickly sought to place blame for the deadliest aviation tragedy in over twenty years, targeting a diversity hiring initiative at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He implied that the program undermines the agency’s effectiveness, stating, “For an air traffic controller, we want the brightest, the smartest, the sharpest. We want somebody that’s psychologically superior,” during a Thursday news conference.
Despite no evidence linking the FAA’s diversity rules to the crash involving an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, which resulted in 67 fatalities, Trump leveraged this event to criticize diversity initiatives. His comments spotlight an ongoing concern for the FAA: a critical shortage of air traffic controllers essential for maintaining aviation safety across the nation.
By associating the disaster with diversity hiring policies, Trump attempts to reignite discussion against such initiatives, following his executive orders that halted similar programs throughout the federal government, including within transportation agencies. During the press conference, he claimed that the FAA program promotes hiring individuals with auditory and visual impairments, paralysis, epilepsy, and even “dwarfism.”
Trump expressed that the FAA may be hiring individuals suffering from significant disabilities, rigidity, or mental health issues under the guise of diversity and inclusion hiring. However, data from the FAA notes that workers with disabilities constitute only a small segment of air traffic controllers, and current investigations into the crash have not emphasized diversity initiatives or workers with disabilities.
Later in the week, Trump reinforced his viewpoint with a presidential memorandum addressing aviation safety, indicating that it would reverse what he described as damage from the Biden administration’s diversity policies. Responding to Trump’s assertions, Jennifer Homendy, Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, emphasized that her team thoroughly examines all relevant areas in investigations, including human factors, aircraft, and environmental conditions, which were standard practices.
Critics, including Democrats and civil rights advocates, swiftly condemned Trump’s statements. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a veteran and Black Hawk helicopter pilot, expressed outrage, stating, “Families are grieving the loss of loved ones. Yet Donald Trump is baselessly blaming DEI for last night’s tragic collision.” She labeled Trump’s remarks as “absolutely shameful.” Similarly, Senator Ruben Gallego declared bluntly on social media, “DEI did not cause this tragedy.”
A coalition of organizations representing individuals with disabilities criticized the blame-game, asserting that all FAA hires must meet rigorous standards. They stated, “The implication that people are being hired to do a job for which they are unqualified is an unfounded lie,” reinforcing harmful stereotypes about disabled individuals.
The FAA has grappled with a long-standing shortage of air traffic controllers, which was heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, Homendy noted a rise in close calls between planes, deemed a “clear warning sign” indicating stress within the aviation system. The agency’s diversity initiatives have been in place for several years and were not initiated during the Biden administration. Prior to Trump’s reelection, these programs had been promoted since at least 2013, encompassing elements that targeted candidates with disabilities, including paralysis and missing extremities.
During Trump’s first term, the FAA established a pilot program aimed at preparing people with disabilities for careers in air traffic control. A 2019 initiative revealed plans to train up to 20 individuals with specified disabilities for a year, potentially leading to temporary FAA positions, all subject to the same stringent qualifications required of all applicants. A federal report published in 2023 outlined these qualifications in detail.
Experts in aviation indicate that the FAA’s recruitment programs are designed to maintain high hiring standards. Former FAA administrator Michael Whitaker remarked that the agency actively seeks qualified individuals through diverse sources who meet rigorous qualifications appropriate for their respective roles. Paul Hanges, an organizational psychology professor involved in FAA reports, acknowledged barriers to hiring minorities but confirmed that no hiring standards were lowered in the process.
Research indicates that while the FAA’s recruitment initiatives have modestly increased workforce diversity over time, especially in critical roles like air traffic controllers, the overall makeup of the FAA still leans heavily male and predominantly white. According to a 2023 report, more than 80% of the nearly 18,000 air traffic controllers were men, with white men comprising 64% of this demographic. The agency’s entire workforce similarly reflected a lack of diversity, with only about 2% grappling with significant disabilities.
Trump’s recent remarks linking diversity efforts to the aviation disaster reflect a broader pattern where his supporters have attributed various crises to diversity and inclusion policies without factual backing. This trend has elicited considerable frustration, as many feel that Trump and his allies are quick to exploit tragic events to further their political narrative. Senator Dick Durbin articulated this sentiment by stating, “The American people deserve real answers, not narcissistic speculations.”
