Washington DC Air Collision Kills 67 | Trump Blames FAA Policies
A mid-air collision near Washington DC killed 67 people, sparking controversy as Trump blames FAA diversity policies. Investigators probe the cause. Read the full report.
Washington, D.C. – In the wake of a tragic mid-air collision near Washington Reagan National Airport that claimed 67 lives, President Donald Trump has blamed diversity hiring initiatives within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for undermining air safety.
The crash occurred on Wednesday evening when an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter while approaching the airport. The disaster, the deadliest aviation accident in the U.S. in over 20 years, resulted in bodies being recovered from the Potomac River and widespread devastation.
Trump’s Controversial Remarks
Speaking from the White House, Trump suggested that hiring policies implemented under former President Joe Biden's administration contributed to the disaster. He accused the FAA of recruiting individuals with "intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems, and other conditions" under a diversity and inclusion initiative. However, he provided no evidence linking these policies to the accident.
Trump also criticized former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, calling him a "disaster." Buttigieg responded via social media, condemning Trump's comments as “despicable” and urging the president to focus on leadership rather than spreading misinformation.
Crash Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a federal investigation into the incident. Authorities recovered the flight data recorders from the American Airlines plane and are analyzing them for potential causes of the crash.
The FAA confirmed that only one air traffic controller was handling both helicopter and airplane traffic at the time, a task usually split between two individuals. Reports suggest that staffing adjustments led to an unusual shift in protocol. However, officials state that conditions were clear, and both pilots were experienced in navigating Washington’s restricted airspace.
Executive Orders and Policy Changes
Following the briefing, Trump signed another executive order aimed at reversing “woke policies” in federal aviation. He had already revoked diversity hiring programs at the FAA the previous week.
When asked if he would visit the crash site, Trump dismissed the suggestion, stating, “What’s the site? The water? You want me to go swimming?”
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