On January 30, 2025, President Donald Trump, without presenting evidence, suggested that the tragic midair collision over Washington, D.C., was a consequence of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) diversity hiring initiatives. The accident involved an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in the loss of all 67 individuals on board both aircraft.
During a White House press conference, Trump criticized the FAA’s focus on diversity, alleging that the agency aimed to hire individuals with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities as air traffic controllers. He remarked, “The FAA diversity push includes focus on hiring people with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities. That is amazing.” When questioned about attributing the crash to diversity hiring without concrete evidence, Trump responded, “Because I have common sense.”
Aviation safety experts and disability rights advocates swiftly condemned Trump’s statements. James Ward, founder and executive director of ADA Watch/Coalition for Disability Rights & Justice, labeled the remarks as “ableist” and “bigoted,” emphasizing that such unfounded claims endanger individuals with disabilities.
Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg also criticized Trump’s assertions, describing them as “despicable” and urging the president to lead responsibly rather than disseminate falsehoods.
In response to the incident, Trump issued an executive memorandum directing his administration to assess and potentially dismantle diversity initiatives within aviation safety roles. This move aligns with his broader agenda to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), responsible for investigating air disasters, emphasized that their inquiry would be grounded in factual evidence. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy stated, “As part of any investigation, we look at the human, the machine, and the environment.” She underscored that determining the cause of the crash would require time and thorough analysis.
Critics argue that Trump’s comments politicize a tragedy and unjustly target DEI initiatives that aim to address longstanding inequities. Aviation safety expert Anthony Brickhouse noted, “Finding out what happened to cause an accident and making changes to get better is what safety is about. This isn’t the time for politics; this isn’t the time for an agenda.”
As the investigation into the collision continues, many call for a focus on evidence-based conclusions rather than speculative and divisive rhetoric. The tragedy has ignited a broader debate on the role of diversity in federal hiring practices and the importance of maintaining rigorous safety standards in aviation.
