In a press conference at the White House on Thursday, Donald Trump took on the role of consoler-in-chief during a period of national mourning, expressing condolences for the victims of a recent air tragedy. He acknowledged the pain felt across the country, paying homage to first responders while emphasizing the gravity of the situation. However, in a notable shift, Trump quickly moved from sympathy to speculation, highlighting the combative nature of his administration.
Trump stated, “We do not know what led to this crash, but we have some very strong opinions and ideas.” This remark set the stage for his unsubstantiated claims regarding the influence of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies on aviation safety. Specifically, he suggested that the reduced hiring standards for air traffic controllers, enacted under the administrations of Joe Biden and Barack Obama, might have contributed to the disaster.
Trump’s controversial claims regarding hiring practices
Throughout his presidency, Trump has been vocal against DEI initiatives within the federal government, arguing they sow division and undermine national strength. Less than 24 hours after the catastrophic incident—the first major air disaster in the U.S. in over ten years—Trump and key members of his cabinet reiterated this message, despite lacking evidence linking these hiring practices to the specific crash.
“Because I have common sense,” Trump replied when pressed by reporters about the rationale behind his claims, acknowledging the investigation into the crash was still ongoing.
Trump highlighted that the hiring guidelines for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) diversity program included preferences for individuals with various disabilities. An archived FAA webpage from December showed a similar approach, emphasizing the recruitment of people with “targeted disabilities.” However, the impact of these initiatives on the qualifications of air traffic controllers remains debated. With over 35,000 FAA employees, only a limited number are actually controllers, raising questions about the correlation between diversity hiring and air traffic safety.
Political backlash and administrative actions
The FAA has faced scrutiny for a persistent shortage of air traffic controllers, an issue exacerbated by the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent reports indicated that staffing levels at Reagan Airport may have been unusually low at the time of the crash. In his remarks, Trump particularly targeted Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, calling him incompetent and blaming his leadership for the current situation.
Buttigieg responded to Trump’s accusations on social media, labeling the comments “despicable” and urging for integrity during a time of grief. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer echoed this sentiment, criticizing Trump for promoting baseless theories while families were still mourning their losses.
Despite the backlash, Trump’s remarks veered into various aspects of the accident, including the flight paths of the involved aircraft, weather conditions, and the peculiar behavior of an Army helicopter. He noted, “We had a situation where we had a helicopter that had an ability to stop. For some reason, it just kept going.”
As the day unfolded, the White House reinforced Trump’s stance on blaming his predecessor and the DEI policies. The President signed a memorandum aimed at dismantling diversity efforts in the aviation sector and mandated a comprehensive review of hiring and safety protocols instituted under the Biden administration. Additionally, he signed an executive order to appoint a new FAA administrator.
Trump’s comments on Thursday underscored two significant patterns: his unyielding desire to engage with pressing news events and his readiness to leverage national tragedies for political gain, ensuring that his administration’s agenda remains in the spotlight.