US President Donald Trump appeared before the White House press and offered his condolences during a time of national tragedy on Thursday. He acknowledged the country’s mourning, praised first responders, and honored the victims. However, his tone quickly shifted, marking a sharp break from the typical presidential response.
Shifting Focus: Speculation and Blame
Trump did not linger on the tragedy. Instead, he said, “We do not know what led to this crash, but we have some very strong opinions and ideas.” He speculated that the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) hiring practices under Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama could have played a role. He has been an outspoken critic of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) programs, often blaming them for dividing the country and weakening it.
Attacking DEI Programs
Less than 24 hours after the crash, Trump and his administration took aim at DEI initiatives. Despite the lack of evidence linking these programs to the crash, they remained firm in their criticism. When a reporter asked Trump how he could make such claims so soon, he responded, “Because I have common sense.” While he acknowledged that the investigation was ongoing, he insisted, “It’s all under investigation.”
FAA’s Diversity Hiring Program Under Scrutiny
Trump highlighted the FAA’s diversity and inclusion hiring program, which had preferences for people with disabilities, including hearing and vision impairments, missing limbs, and other conditions. An archived version of the FAA’s website, which was later removed, had a similar list of “targeted disabilities.” However, it remains unclear how this diversity drive affected air traffic controller hiring, especially since Trump emphasized that controllers should be “naturally talented geniuses.”
FAA’s Response and Staffing Issues
The FAA employs over 35,000 people, but only a small fraction are air traffic controllers. The agency has faced criticism over staffing shortages, particularly following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the attacks on diversity hiring, the FAA issued a statement saying that all new hires must meet “rigorous qualifications” specific to each position.
Trump’s Criticism of Buttigieg and Democratic Leaders
Trump also criticized Pete Buttigieg, the Biden administration’s Transportation Secretary, calling him ineffective. Buttigieg quickly defended himself on social media, calling Trump’s remarks “despicable.” He added, “As families grieve, Trump should be leading, not lying.” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also condemned Trump’s comments, saying, “It’s one thing for internet pundits to spew off conspiracies, it’s another for the President of the United States to throw out idle speculation as bodies are still being recovered.”
Speculation on the Crash Continues
Trump didn’t stop at criticism of DEI programs. He delved into further speculation, discussing the angles and altitude of the two aircraft, weather conditions, the temperature of the Potomac, and even the behavior of an Army helicopter involved. “We had a situation where we had a helicopter that had an ability to stop. For some reason, it just kept going,” he said.
White House Response and Executive Actions
Later that evening, the White House doubled down on Trump’s stance, reinforcing attacks on DEI policies. The president signed a memorandum to end diversity efforts in aviation and ordered a review of hiring decisions and safety protocols made during the Biden administration. Additionally, he signed an executive order to appoint a new head of the FAA.
A Predictable Approach
From his remarks, two things were clear. First, Trump’s eagerness to dominate news stories and inject himself into national issues remains strong. Second, in his view, it’s never too soon to politicize national tragedies—using them as opportunities to attack his political adversaries and advance his agenda.