Trump criticises Biden administration, DEI policies after aircraft collision
US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized the Biden administration and its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies following a tragic mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army helicopter on Wednesday night near Washington, D.C. The crash, which occurred while the jet was landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, resulted in the deaths of 67 people.
During a press conference on Thursday, Trump suggested that the crash might have been caused by hiring air traffic controllers with “severe intellectual disabilities” under the Obama and Biden administrations, citing the DEI policies. When asked for evidence to support this claim, Trump did not provide any, stating that he relied on “common sense.”
Trump’s comments were supported by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who both advocated for hiring only “the best and brightest” for safety-sensitive positions. Additionally, Vice President J.D. Vance claimed that many qualified individuals had been denied positions as air traffic controllers due to race.
Following his inauguration, Trump repealed Biden’s DEI policies, arguing that focusing on race and gender in hiring undermines excellence and competency. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them inappropriate given the ongoing recovery efforts and investigation into the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the incident.
