President Donald Trump blamed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies for the tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C., that likely killed 67 people. In a press briefing, Trump began with a moment of silence for the victims before criticizing DEI policies within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He claimed that hiring unqualified people contributed to the disaster.
During his speech, Trump cited an article that claimed the FAA was prioritizing diversity over competence. He strongly criticized former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, calling him a “disaster” and using strong language to express his frustration. The president insisted that only the most intelligent and capable individuals should be hired as air traffic controllers to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Details of the Crash
The crash occurred on Wednesday night at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. An American Airlines flight carrying 64 passengers, including figure skaters from Kansas and Russia, collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three crew members. Sadly, Trump confirmed that there were no survivors.
In response, Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized DEI policies, arguing that previous administrations prioritized diversity over merit in hiring air traffic controllers. Vance specifically claimed that under President Biden, qualified applicants were rejected due to their race.
Trump assured the public that such an incident “wouldn’t happen again” under his leadership. He questioned why the helicopter did not take action to avoid the collision, pointing out that the plane was on a standard approach with its lights on during clear weather. He also criticized air traffic control for not giving proper instructions to the helicopter.
Investigations Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash. However, Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA) urged people not to speculate on the causes before all facts are gathered. He emphasized the importance of allowing investigators to complete their work before making policy changes.
Reactions and Response
Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas expressed deep sorrow over the loss of so many lives, particularly the Kansas residents on board. He described the tragedy as “heartbreak beyond measure.”
Rescue teams worked for hours in the Potomac River, but efforts gradually shifted to body recovery. Officials have not yet confirmed the final death toll, but all 67 individuals are feared dead. Reports indicate the American Airlines flight originated from Wichita, Kansas, and was about to land when the crash happened.
Among the victims were Russian figure skaters Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, as reported by Russia’s TASS news agency.
