Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, has stirred controversy with misleading accusations about the causes of a deadly crash on January 29. The accident involved an American Eagle (PSA Airlines) Bombardier CRJ700 and a US Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), killing 67 people. Trump’s remarks focused on blaming policies implemented by past administrations, particularly those of Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Trump’s Allegations Against Past FAA Policies
Following the tragedy, Trump issued an executive order on January 30, claiming that the crash was a result of poor decisions made during the Obama and Biden administrations. According to Trump, these policies shifted the focus away from hiring the most competent candidates for air traffic control jobs and instead emphasized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Trump alleged that under Obama, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) compromised on merit-based hiring, and that Biden continued these trends, worsening aviation safety. However, Trump provided no evidence to back his claims. His accusations come despite the fact that the last major US airline crash with passenger fatalities occurred in 2009, involving Colgan Air near Buffalo, New York.
Trump’s Criticism of DEI and FAA Standards
In his January 30 press conference, Trump went further by suggesting that the FAA had hired individuals with “severe intellectual disabilities” under DEI initiatives. He claimed that these policies directly contributed to the January 29 crash, bypassing the usual investigation process led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Despite his statements, the NTSB has yet to release a preliminary report. The board’s chair, Jennifer Homendy, urged patience, saying investigators needed time to gather and verify information. She emphasized that speculation before the investigation is complete could mislead the public.
Trump’s Call for a Review of FAA Hiring and Safety Protocols
Trump’s executive order instructed the Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and the acting Administrator of the FAA, Chris Rocheleau, to review hiring practices and safety protocols from the last four years. Duffy, known for his opposition to so-called “woke” policies, began his role by enforcing new mandates to shift FAA hiring back toward what he described as “objective aptitude-based” standards.
Ongoing Challenges in US Aviation Safety
The US aviation system, despite its strong safety record, has faced challenges in recent years. An acute shortage of air traffic controllers (ATC) has led to delays and several near-miss incidents at major airports across the country, particularly in 2023 and 2024. While none of these incidents resulted in fatalities, they have raised concerns about the FAA’s ability to maintain the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS).
Chris Rocheleau’s Appointment as Acting FAA Administrator
As part of the administration’s response to the accident, Chris Rocheleau was appointed acting Administrator of the FAA. He had spent over 20 years working for the agency before joining the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) in 2022. His appointment came after Mike Whitaker, the former Administrator, left his post on January 20, the day Trump was inaugurated.
Rocheleau’s appointment is significant as the FAA navigates ongoing challenges, including technology deficiencies and staffing shortages. Critics have expressed concern over whether the agency’s leadership will focus more on politics or solving real operational issues.
Trump’s claims about the January 29 accident reflect a broader pattern of using events to push political narratives. While he blames past administrations for allegedly lowering hiring standards, the investigation led by the NTSB has not yet determined the cause of the crash. Aviation experts continue to stress the importance of relying on verified facts instead of speculation. As the FAA undergoes changes in leadership and addresses staffing and safety concerns, it remains crucial to avoid jumping to conclusions that could undermine trust in the system.