Trump Blames Diversity Efforts for DC Plane Crash Amid Ongoing Investigation

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday suggested that diversity initiatives at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have compromised air travel safety, linking these efforts to a recent plane crash in Washington, D.C. The remarks came during a White House press briefing, despite the crash investigation being in its early stages.

Trump began the briefing with a moment of silence for the victims of the crash, which involved an American Airlines plane and a U.S. Army helicopter. However, his focus quickly shifted to criticizing diversity hiring practices, claiming they lowered standards for air traffic controllers and pilots. “We want the brightest, the smartest, the sharpest,” Trump said. “We want somebody that’s psychologically superior.”

The president did not provide evidence to support his claims, instead asserting that “common sense” led him to his conclusions. He also blamed previous administrations, including those of President Joe Biden and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, for what he called a decline in aviation standards. Buttigieg responded by calling Trump’s comments “despicable.”

Reporters pressed Trump on his assertions, noting that the FAA’s diversity hiring policies have been in place since 2013, including during his first term. When asked why he did not change the policy during his presidency, Trump claimed he had implemented stricter standards, which were later reversed by Biden.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and authorities have not yet identified any responsible parties. Trump acknowledged the ongoing probe but continued to question the qualifications of those involved in air traffic control. “We’re going to look into that,” he said. “But certainly for an air traffic controller, we want the brightest, the smartest, the sharpest.”

Despite his criticisms, Trump assured the public that air travel remains safe. “Flying is very safe,” he said. “We have the safest flying anywhere in the world, and we’ll keep it that way.”

The president also emphasized the importance of having his new transportation secretary confirmed quickly, criticizing Democrats for delaying the process. “We want fast confirmations,” Trump said. “The Democrats are doing everything they can to delay.”

The crash, which occurred earlier this week, is the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in over two decades. As the nation mourns, Trump’s comments have sparked controversy, with critics accusing him of politicizing the tragedy.