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President Donald Trump speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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Trump blames diversity hiring as probe into deadly midair collision begins

133 Comments
By ZEKE MILLER and CHRIS MEGERIAN

As the nation reeled from the deadliest American aviation disaster in more than two decades, President Donald Trump on Thursday blamed diversity initiatives for undermining air safety and questioned the actions of a U.S. Army helicopter pilot involved in the midair collision with a commercial airliner.

Sixty-seven people are believed to have died in the Wednesday evening crash, which occurred while a flight from Wichita, Kansas, was landing at Washington Reagan National Airport. As Trump spoke, the federal investigation was just beginning and first responders were still working to recover bodies from the Potomac River.

Officials have not yet to formally establish the causes of the collision, and Trump himself acknowledged that it was too soon to draw conclusions as he encouraged the country to pray for the victims. But he quickly moved to engage in speculation and political attacks, at a moment when Americans traditionally look to the presidency for comfort, assurance and facts.

“Some really bad things happened and some things happened that shouldn’t have happened," the Republican president said from the White House briefing room, just over three miles or five kilometers from the scene of the disaster.

Trump blamed former President Joe Biden's administration for encouraging the Federal Aviation Administration to recruit workers “who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative.” He added that the program allowed for the hiring of people with hearing and vision issues as well as paralysis, epilepsy and “dwarfism.”

Trump did not share any evidence that unqualified people were being put in critical positions like air traffic control, and he acknowledged that there was as yet no indication that air traffic controllers at Reagan National Airport made any mistakes.

Asked why he was blaming diversity initiatives, Trump said, "because I have common sense, and unfortunately a lot of people don’t.”

Trump said air traffic controllers needed to be brilliant to ensure safety.

“They have to be talented, naturally talented geniuses,” he said. “You can’t have regular people doing their job.”

Trump complained specifically about Pete Buttigieg, who was Biden's transportation secretary and was a contender to challenge Trump for the White House in 2020, calling him “a disaster.”

“He’s run it right into the ground with his diversity,” Trump said, adding profanity to his description of Buttigieg.

Buttigieg responded in a post on X, calling Trump’s comments “despicable.”

“As families grieve, Trump should be leading, not lying," he added.

The plane crash was the first major disaster of Trump's new term, and his response evoked his frequent — and controversial — briefings on the COVID-19 pandemic. His handling of the pandemic helped sour voters on him as he failed to win reelection in 2020.

After telling the families of the dead that “our hearts are shattered alongside yours" and leading a moment of silence, Trump proceeded to speculate about what had occurred. "We do not know what led to this crash but we have some very strong opinions," he said.

Trump wondered if the helicopter pilot was wearing night vision goggles, declared that “you had a pilot problem” and that the helicopter was “going at an angle that was unbelievably bad.” He questioned why the Army pilot didn’t change course, saying that “you can stop a helicopter very quickly.”

He also mused about the air traffic controllers, saying of the two aircraft, “for whatever reason they were at the same elevation," adding "they should have been at a different height.”

Even as Trump rushed to publicly ponder reasons for the crash, the National Transportation Safety Board was more circumspect as it begins examining what happened.

“We look at facts, on our investigation, and that will take some time,” said Jennifer Homendy, the board's chair.

Democrats criticized Trump’s remarks on Thursday.

“It’s one thing for internet pundits to spew off conspiracy theories, it’s another for the president of the United States,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

Vice President JD Vance, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth all lined up behind Trump to praise his leadership and echo his concerns about diversity programs and hiring.

“When you don’t have the best standards in who you’re hiring, it means on the one hand, you’re not getting the best people in government," Vance said, “But on the other hand, it puts stresses on the people who are already there.”

Trump made a point to tell Duffy, who was sworn in on Tuesday as Buttigieg's replacement, “It’s not your fault.” Duffy took the White House podium alongside Trump and declared, “When Americans take off in airplanes, they should expect to land at their destination.” Duffy added, “We will not accept excuses.”

Trump signed an executive order ending diversity initiatives at the FAA soon after taking office last week. Federal officials have been raising concerns about an overtaxed and understaffed air traffic control system for years, especially after a series of close calls between planes at U.S. airports. They have cited issues with competitive pay, long hours, intensive training and mandatory retirements for contributing to the staffing shortages.

“While these events are incredibly rare, our safety system is showing clear signs of strain that we cannot ignore,” Homendy told lawmakers in 2023. Aviation experts issued a report around the same time saying that the FAA needs better staffing, equipment and technology.

© Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.


133 Comments

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The DEI has been around a long time. If what he said is true, then we would've seen more accidents like this before.

If anything, his firing of the FAA director, disbanding of the Aviation Safety Advisory Board, and freezing of hiring of Air Traffic Controllers would have more to do with this disaster.

This just in, according to the FAA, one air traffic controller was working two positions at the time of the crash.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/live/dc-plane-crash-live-updates-28-bodies-recovered-no-survivors-expected-after-american-airlines-flight-collides-with-military-helicopter-125539802.html

Would've been nice to have more air traffic controllers working? Downsizing is not always a good thing.

26 ( +39 / -13 )

Trumps fault. Only a week in and he's already screwing everything up.

35 ( +48 / -13 )

The DEI has been around a long time. If what he said is true, then we would've seen more accidents like this before.

Not that long, it will take some time for new DEI hires to step into critical role, that's what we see what happened recently.

-24 ( +10 / -34 )

He has a valid point: the best people are needed in critical roles.

-37 ( +13 / -50 )

The problem with DEI, company won't hire the best fit people for its job, they'll hire people because DEI quota.

https://hbr.org/2022/12/the-failure-of-the-dei-industrial-complex

https://henrymillermd.org/26830/woke-policies-are-a-path-to-societal-mediocrity

-26 ( +11 / -37 )

He has a valid point: the best people are needed in critical roles.

Ironic, since him and the majority of his cabinet are grossly unqualified.

37 ( +48 / -11 )

Trump did not share any evidence that unqualified people were being put in critical positions like air traffic control, and he acknowledged that there was as yet no indication that air traffic controllers at Reagan National Airport made any mistakes.

So, without a shred of evidence, Trump blames DEI policies.

The same DEI policies that were in force when he was president.

32 ( +41 / -9 )

“He’s run it right into the ground with his diversity,” Trump said, adding profanity to his description of Buttigieg.

exactly.

-28 ( +5 / -33 )

JJE

He has a valid point: the best people are needed in critical roles.

DEI does nothing to stop that.

13 ( +24 / -11 )

The article is already a little dated. A preliminary report by the FAA is pointing at staffing conditions in the control tower to be "not normal" during the time of the incident. Whether that is because of not hiring enough staff, overwork or even DEI has been yet to be seen.

7 ( +17 / -10 )

Whether that is because of not hiring enough staff, overwork or even DEI has been yet to be seen.

There might be applicants that interested to that position but sorry can't get into because DEI quota.

That's where DEI can really do harm, organization would suffer understaffed since best fist competence applicants get through.

-23 ( +3 / -26 )

The same DEI policies that were in force when he was president.

Not as rampant as it was since 2020 especially among airlines.

-19 ( +5 / -24 )

Trump did not share any evidence

Fancy that

34 ( +38 / -4 )

He’s blaming everything from climate change (which he oddly calls a ‘hoax’ like it’s a secret camera show) to the LA fires on ‘wokeness’ and DEI. Please tell me he didn’t do the DEI = DIE thing, too.

27 ( +32 / -5 )

sakurasuki

Whether that is because of not hiring enough staff, overwork or even DEI has been yet to be seen.

> There might be applicants that interested to that position but sorry can't get into because DEI quota.

> That's where DEI can really do harm, organization would suffer understaffed since best fist competence applicants get through.

Incorrect, because DEI staff are just as competent.

14 ( +21 / -7 )

I guess it is good Mr. Trump never had to apply for a job in his life as his psychiatric problems would clearly rule him out.

23 ( +29 / -6 )

The problem with DEI, company won't hire the best fit people for its job, they'll hire people because DEI quota.

That’s the scary part, DEI is the new “Affirmative Action” just the absolute worst thing. They finally got rid of that and then changed it to look and sound better and the problem does the same blasted thing.

I guess it is good Mr. Trump never had to apply for a job in his life as his psychiatric problems would clearly rule him out.

Well, that’s not true, but again, you hire people based on talent and experience and not because of their color, ethnicity or race.

-38 ( +6 / -44 )

He always finds a new low to stoop to.

24 ( +33 / -9 )

bass4funk

The DEI has been around a long time. If what he said is true, then we would've seen more accidents like this before.

We have been recently, also, DEI in itself is wrong,

Incorrect.

you should never hire someone because of their race, ethnicity or color.

Agreed. That's why we have DEI. Before DEI many organizations just hired white guys.

23 ( +31 / -8 )

Such presidential decorum on display.

Classy guy.

23 ( +30 / -7 )

@Underworld

Agreed. That's why we have DEI. Before DEI many organizations just hired white guys.

Wrong many Asian descendant also become victims of DEI quota, not only white guys.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Students_for_Fair_Admissions_v._Harvard

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/harvard-admits-record-number-asian-american-students-black-latino-admi-rcna77923

-15 ( +6 / -21 )

Trump's comment that the crash was caused by "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” killing 68 people is an insult to those and the families and friends of the victims.

32 ( +38 / -6 )

Disgusting comment and very hurtful to all the families.

33 ( +37 / -4 )

@Underworld

Incorrect, because DEI staff are just as competent.

Wrong, many organization can hire incompetent employee as result of nepotism, DEI or others. Real impact can't be seen directly but it can lead to some misses and unnecessary incident here and there. Might also lost long term customers and clients because not satisfy with deliverable or performance.

When there were DEI and sustainable hype, many companies publish their report on their progress about their DEI population in their company now those hype, slowdown a bit.

https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-employers-diversity/

https://sustainabilitymag.com/top10/top-10-diverse-leadership-teams

-24 ( +3 / -27 )

Well, that’s not true, but again, you hire people based on talent and experience and not because of their color, ethnicity or race.

That is why the DEI was instituted. Before the DEI, many companies would hire based on race and ethnicity. If someone of color was more qualified than a white person, they would still hire that white person because there were no laws against discrimination. Now, companies still have to hire the most qualified person, but they can't overlook a qualified person just because of their ethnic background. Frankly, I think the best solution would make it so that all companies have to be completely transparent; as in making it clear to all people who were not hired why a certain candidate was chosen over them by revealing all qualifications, work experience, etc. Yes, there may be an issue with some privacy, but at least there will be no questioning the decision.

Besides, we don't even know if either the helicopter pilot, the plane's pilot, or the air traffic controller in charge were all DEI hires. Yet, Trump wants to make the assumption that they are or were all DEI hires, and so he will use it politically to place blame on that. There is no evidence to support his claim that DEI hires was the cause of this.

15 ( +20 / -5 )

He always finds a new low to stoop to.

It does add to his trolling skills though.

This appeals to a large part of his base.

Knows his audience. It’s a skill.

21 ( +27 / -6 )

There is no public information on the workers in the Reagan Airport control tower. We know nothing about them but some posters comment it’s all about DEI. Why bother to wait for a published investigation which will take months or years.

20 ( +22 / -2 )

DEI works when it is used to permits people of different backgrounds to be hired from the norm, if they are the BEST for the job. However, DEI doesn’t work when a quota is in place and people are hired who are not as good as another candidate. The problem is that the latter prevails and that needs to be tackled and eliminated.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

There is no public information on the workers in the Reagan Airport control tower. We know nothing about them but some posters comment it’s all about DEI. Why bother to wait for a published investigation which will take months or years.

Because they are copying Trumps deflecting tactic to distract people from the fact this happened because Trump only cared about rapidly firing and replacing people thus he put unqualified people in job positions they weren't ready for

20 ( +21 / -1 )

Apparently a lot of (very prejudiced) people seem confused about how DEI works.

DEI doesn't mean "We will blindly only hire minorities regardless of their qualifications". That would be professional suicide for any company or agency. It doesn't happen anywhere. DEI simply means "At the same qualification level, we will give a chance to people who are less represented in our company or agency".

Which really isn't that crazy. Except when you need a scapegoat for your own failures, then it's the worst thing that ever happened to the country.

22 ( +22 / -0 )

Before the DEI, many companies would hire based on race and ethnicity.

Very, very few did. The reality is that white people have until recently been a large majority in the US and the traditional household had a single breadwinner, nearly always male. So nearly 90% of the job applicants would be white and about 80% males for skilled or white-collar jobs. At least, that was my experience in Canada when I had to hire people about 40 years ago.

-10 ( +5 / -15 )

That is why the DEI was instituted. Before the DEI, many companies would hire based on race and ethnicity. If someone of color was more qualified than a white person, they would still hire that white person because there were no laws against discrimination.

Top tier comment, but Twitter and Musks stupidity has their lackeys confused and ignorant

16 ( +18 / -2 )

The identities of some of the victims have been revealed.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Trump blamed former President Joe Biden's administration for encouraging the Federal Aviation Administration to recruit workers “who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative.” He added that the program allowed for the hiring of people with hearing and vision issues as well as paralysis, epilepsy and “dwarfism.”

Geez, just when you think he can't say something even more stupid and vapid as "they're eating the pets", the Messianic Moron from Mar-A-Lago blames "dwarfs" for this accident...

As we all saw from his crazed rantings and rambling before the election, Trump is deep into the ravages of dementia...and this is just another clear example...

19 ( +21 / -2 )

Because of course he did.

And we know that in MAGA world, Trump's word is gospel, so the usual suspects will be bleating "DEI, DEI, DEI" until the cows come home.

20 ( +22 / -2 )

Besides, we don't even know if either the helicopter pilot, the plane's pilot, or the air traffic controller in charge were all DEI hires. Yet,

Trump wants to make the assumption that they are or were all DEI hires, and so he will use it politically to place blame on that. There is no evidence to support his claim that DEI hires was the cause of this.

Because we had many incidents, Boeing was one of them where it was a concern, that is an indisputable fact. So there is an ongoing investigation to give a final approval. Either way, I think the only way to ensure that we hire the best person capable for any serious job such as Avian transportation, the best person should be considered regardless of color. Race, ethnicity, and color should never be factors in hiring a person.

-34 ( +3 / -37 )

Last year the United Airlines president said the most important thing that United considered when hiring pilots was diversity. Not safety. Not ability. The color of one's skin. Now THAT is woke.

-20 ( +3 / -23 )

Back in 1959, F-100 Super Sabre of the US Air Force crashed in Ishikawa, in United States-occupied Okinawa, killing 18 people. 12 were primary school students.

The golden rule of civil aviation is military air craft should not use commercial aircraft flight route. Air traffic controller should focus only one flight before another one. One should focus on Helicopter flight path. One should focus on American Airline landing. That air traffic controller will feel guilty for the rest of his life.

In the perfect world, there will be no accidents and wrong decisions.

Trump grandparents were German. His wife is a Slovenian. Trump grand children are mixed German and Jewish ethnicities. US of A does not have single race. Even natives had multiple tribes like Apache, Comanche, Sioux and Yakama etc.

Stainless steel was make with diversity of iron ores. Trump son is taller and better good looking than him and because Barron is a mixture of diversities. He has very well manner like regency romance leading male character. Unlike father unlike son.

Trump is a grumpy impatient old man who will blame everyone. In the medieval Japan, he will be dethroned.

16 ( +17 / -1 )

And we know that in MAGA world, Trump's word is gospel, so the usual suspects will be bleating "DEI, DEI, DEI" until the cows come home.

Well, most DEI hires are coming to an end as they should and that trend will continue, of course, there will be few institutions that will use the practice, but overall, the days of DEI being the criteria for getting a job are pretty much over.

-33 ( +4 / -37 )

I think the USA had 3 bad choices Harris, Trump, Biden.

So here we are with the loudest who says things before thinking, not that different than the other 2 but often a little too over the top.

Don't know if DEI had anything to do with it, (but I doubt it) but what we do know now is there should have been 2 traffic controllers on duty and there was just one and what we do know according to the AP.

A shortage of air traffic controllers in the U.S. in recent years has spurred safety concerns. At several facilities, controllers work mandatory overtime and six-day work weeks to cover shortages. The FAA has about 3,000 fewer controllers than it says it needs.

So what is the reason for this shortage?

Is it because no one wants these stressful jobs? Not enough qualified people available? Or is it due to a policy rejecting qualified people in order to find/boost diversity to fill quotas?

Now the last question isn't speculation or just something I tossed in, it is the reason for similar situations in other countries for shortages in certain fields, so I have to look at it being a possibility.

But I would hope that in such a crucial area this wouldn't be the case.

In all probability it is a combination of all 3 and more.

-19 ( +2 / -21 )

Look at the official statement that Obama put out, then look at what the FOTUS wrote on Truth Social. It's quite enlightening.

16 ( +18 / -2 )

Can't agree with the tone of discussion here, nothing facts based, mostly politics. Not appropriate at this point in time IMO.

Most likely the heli pilot mistook the plane lining up BEHIND the CRJ as the CRJ so by the time the heli and CRJ were in visual contact, it was too late.

Note: the heli was flying an approved route along the river, the CRJ complied with air traffic controller to land on specified runway. The heli pilot said (twice) he assumed visual separation responsibility (between him and the crj), the second time was to respond to atc warning of approaching crj. It's night time, it's a mistake.

ATC was never going to dispute or refuse the heli pilot request (for visual separation responsibility) because he supposedly but mistakenly thought he had visual contact with the crj.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

A tragedy used by a politician clown instead of to think to families.

25 ( +27 / -2 )

DEI is to be no more.

-16 ( +3 / -19 )

AntiquesavingToday  08:34 am JST

I think the USA had 3 bad choices Harris, Trump, Biden.

There was nothing wrong with Harris. She did not have as her mission revenge on the American people.

15 ( +20 / -5 )

iknowallToday  08:39 am JST

DEI is to be no more.

Are you under the impression you will be changing Hollywood's hiring practices anytime soon?

12 ( +15 / -3 )

Obviously, this clown's heart (if he ever had one) is completely off his compass. Instead of blaming anything, how about focusing on the family and friends of the deceased? I'm sure they're going through a lot of pain while trying to find answers to this incident. He is definitely not a leader of the country.

19 ( +20 / -1 )

i don’t think trump has dementia.

i think he’s insane.

19 ( +20 / -1 )

Trump's blame on DEI is deflecting from the real reason for this crash. I'm not a licensed pilot, but clearly it was the pilot or pilots of the helicopter who were at fault; as well as their superiors who were giving them the order to do military exercises at night, while flying way too closely to such a congested airport. The airplane was clearly on its decent and had the right of way. The onus is on the more maneuverable helicopter to make sure they don't get in that way. If you want to take it a step further, whomever is in charge of the military should be held accountable.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

There was nothing wrong with Harris. She did not have as her mission revenge on the American people.

True, the country was just too racist and sexist to accept her as a president. I knew people who kept asking "what is Harris going to do for us?" But its more about what rights and privileges are going to be lost if Trump wins, if that isn't enough for you to understand then you're a lost cause and should pay attention to what happens in the world around you. Just because you're a male doesn't mean your not affected because you have a sister, daughter or mother who would suffer over this BS as well

11 ( +14 / -3 )

Blame everybody but himself but now he is the "leader". He is in charge of the country, he is responsible.

Also, didn't he fired most of the top of DEI  last week?

20 ( +22 / -2 )

Trump crashed with his "common sense" comment on DEI.

21 ( +23 / -2 )

It’s insane some posters are blaming DEI for the crash even before there is an investigation.

22 ( +23 / -1 )

I haven’t seen any comments from Trump to the families and friends of the victims.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

If he really thinks the best people should be in critical roles, then he should know he shouldn't be president.

20 ( +21 / -1 )

It’s insane some posters are blaming DEI for the crash even before there is an investigation.

Right, Trump and his maga grunts are doing the matrix dodge to avoid accountability over this

23 ( +24 / -1 )

Here's the thing. If he ever, even once, took responsibility for something that happened on his watch, he might actually find that people respect that. I mean people outside the MAGA bubble, that is.

I'm not the military type, but I did enjoy reading a book called "Extreme ownership" by a former SEAL called Jocko Willink. The whole thrust of the book is that the buck stops with the leader, and the leader has to own it all, good and bad. The author talks about a time in (IIRC) Iraq when something went badly wrong with his team and he took full responsibility, as he was the top guy. He says that if he'd tried to deflect, deny, or pass the buck, he would likely have been discharged there and then.

The current MAGA modus operandi is never to accept responsibility for anything, ever, and this is the absolute opposite of what leadership is.

18 ( +19 / -1 )

Reported one black box was recovered. The location of the other is also known.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

It’s insane some posters are blaming DEI for the crash even before there is an investigation.

As you were blaming Trump...

-20 ( +1 / -21 )

Blame everybody but himself but now he is the "leader". He is in charge of the country, he is responsible

That's par for the course with Trump. That's Trump. He'll take none of the blame; even deflect it or use it for political and monetary gain. He'll take all of the accolades, even when it has nothing do with him. He should've just said his condolences to the families of the victims of this crash and be done with it, but no. He had to go right into the blame game and spend much more time on that; than on this tragedy. Even heaping some praise on first responders and emergency crew would've been better, but not with Trump.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

True, the country was just too racist and sexist to accept her as a president.

They'll deny it until their last breath, but this is right.

First they couldn't even stomach the idea of a white woman, although she was literally married to a former President, as well as having had her own political career. I mean, how much more qualified can you get?

So once they decided that they'd prefer Trump over her, the writing was on the wall for Harris. Two strikes against her before she even started. The fact that she got within around two million votes is quite honestly surprising.

I think Japan might elect a female Prime Minster before the US elects a female President. And that will be the ultimate slap in the face.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

I'm not the military type,

Well, there you go

The current MAGA modus operandi is never to accept responsibility for anything, ever,

Before you even start to criticize MAGA, you need to point it towards the last admin. of not taking responsibility for anything, not even the border, this is just madness and the reason why Trump has to issue so many EO, so the left can't say one word about accountability on any issue, they would get slammed all day long on it.

and this is the absolute opposite of what leadership is.

If that were the case, Democrats would be in charge of one of the 3 branches and yet, they are not.

-28 ( +1 / -29 )

And we know that in MAGA world, Trump's word is gospel, so the usual suspects will be bleating "DEI, DEI, DEI" until the cows come home.

Well, most DEI hires are coming to an end as they should and that trend will continue, of course, there will be few institutions that will use the practice, but overall, the days of DEI being the criteria for getting a job are pretty much over.

What? You haven't been keeping up with the MAGA civil war...

Trump and Musk love DEI....between them they are going to fire white US workers and replace them with immigrant persons on color from india, China, and Africa who they can pay lower wages...

You can't get more diverse, equal, and inclusive than that...probably the only consistent thing Trump has done given he's had two immigrant wives...

19 ( +19 / -0 )

Worse air crash in 20 years.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Before you even start to criticize MAGA, you need to point it towards the last admin. of not taking responsibility for anything, not even the border, this is just madness and the reason why Trump has to issue so many EO, so the left can't say one word about accountability on any issue, they would get slammed all day long on it.

Do you know the exact number of commercial aviation crash fatalities that happened when Pete Buttigieg was secretary of transportation?

I'll give you a clue: it's the same as the number of times you have admitted that Trump could have been wrong about anything, ever.

22 ( +22 / -0 )

Incorrect, because DEI staff are just as competent.

There are multiple reports of jobs for skilled labor not getting filled because of DEI. HR is forced to turn away qualified applicants because they are the wrong race and either the job is left open, which hurts the company, or ultimately they cave to an intersectional quota and hire someone unqualified.

DEI is a poison and I am glad it is dying

-18 ( +0 / -18 )

patkim

Today 08:46 am JST

Trump's blame on DEI is deflecting from the real reason for this crash. I'm not a licensed pilot, but clearly it was the pilot or pilots of the helicopter who were at fault; as well as their superiors who were giving them the order to do military exercises at night, while flying way too closely to such a congested airport. The airplane was clearly on its decent and had the right of way. The onus is on the more maneuverable helicopter to make sure they don't get in that way. If you want to take it a step further, whomever is in charge of the military should be held accountable

Now had you done even a little checking you would have known that since 9/11 especially around the capital these military maneuvers have been a regular thing and they are done around the civilian airport precisely because of what happened on 9/11.

The responsibility to keep the civilian and military aircraft apart fall to the civilian air traffic control, which in this case was understaffed.

They have already admitted that at the time the high volume of traffic required two (2) people to be on duty, but only one was on duty at the time.

So as silly and in poor taste as Trump's remarks are the questions are: why was only one air traffic controller on duty? Why is the system understaffed by around 3000 people (according to the FAA)?

Would this have happened if the tower was properly/fully staff under the regulations?

-16 ( +1 / -17 )

DEI is a poison and I am glad it is dying

Research before typing please, Trump replaced people and this has nothing to do with DEI no matter how much Trump or Musk will try to project that propaganda into reality

17 ( +18 / -1 )

He got his job through DEI. The man was and is wholly unqualified for the highest office in the land. By the time he's finished screwing things up, it might be too late to save America. RIP to the victims of the crash and my condolences go out to their loved ones. A president is supposed to unite a country in times of sadness, trouble or crisis but the Great Divider does not have that quality in him.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

He blames illegal immigrants. He blames DEI hires. He’s now got Mel Gibson the anti-Semite and Musk the neo-Nazi on board the MAGA train. Are you thinking what I’m thinking, Pinky?

15 ( +18 / -3 )

All mouth, no brains.

17 ( +19 / -2 )

There will undoubtedly be a detailed independent inquiry into this terrible suggested avoidable tragedy.

if, at present speculation, that policies associated with DEI could have contributed to this collision.

Heads will roll in the saw dust, count on it.

-17 ( +0 / -17 )

Trump's comments aside, why are none of you in both sides not asking why only one air traffic controller was on duty when the situation called for 2?

Why are none of you asking why after 4 years of Biden is the Air traffic control system still understaffed by 3000 (according to the FAA)?

These are the two major questions and sadly these silly comments by Trump distract from these two major questions and flaws in the system.

-19 ( +0 / -19 )

reagan fired air traffic controllers in 1981.

everyone hired after that would start retiring about 2005.

congress wouldn’t put up the money to hire and train replacements before then.

atc has been understaffed for 20 years.

today, they can’t hire because they can’t find qualified people.

many 20-somethings today have limited attention spans, are unmotivated and quite frankly, dunces.

then 20% of those hired drop out of training.

when you raise a generation of sniveling little crybabies, you pay the price.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

Why is anyone even talking about DEI- it's obviously just the first excuse he could come up with to deflect criticism after having just sacked more than 100 air safety officials? Trump even admitted he has zero evidence and that story is falling apart as the day progresses.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

So, without a shred of evidence, Trump blames DEI policies.

since when did maga need evidence to spread their diatribe,

its been 4yrs and Trump still couldnt prove he won against Biden

15 ( +17 / -2 )

Donald doing again what he is best at!

Blaming others for the mess he creates / created.

Wasn't it him who more or less fired people responsible for flight safety?

It was him who used that moment blaming DEI, suggesting that pilots and air traffic controllers don't deserve their jobs.

It's him uttering b.s. like this: "“I have a plan to visit, not the site. Because you tell me, what’s the site? The water? You want me to go swimming?"

More of a borderline personality disorder patient than ever before. Someone should finally show mercy and send him where he belongs., which definitely ain't the White House!

13 ( +15 / -2 )

There's two reasons Trump is ranting about "DEI" during this tragic incident...

1) It's just another example of his long, deep dive into complete dementia...or...

2) It's a typical Trump deflection to keep people from focusing on all his broken promises, i.e., stopping the Ukraine war in 24 hours, and bringing down grocery prices immediately...and his pardoning of violent felons who when released committed more crimes and violating federal law by firing the inspector generals...

It's likely both...

17 ( +17 / -0 )

Ken

Today 09:24 am JST

Damn and it hasn't even been a month yet

Right, as if any president could have fixed the 3000 staff shortage in 10 days!

The blame falls on all the previous administrations including Biden, Trump's first presidency, possibly going back to Obama.

Staff shortage of 3000 air traffic controllers didn't happen overnight, the rules required that 2 air traffic controllers be on duty at the time but due to shortages there was only one!

You may get your way, we may find the shortage started all the way back in Trump's first presidency, but that doesn't remove the question as to why after 4 years under Biden, the government still had/has 3000 positions not filled?

-17 ( +2 / -19 )

Because we had many incidents, Boeing was one of them

Trump has set a new standard. Blame all recent air crashes on DEI. Without evidence.

where it was a concern, that is an indisputable fact.

Evidence, please.

So there is an ongoing investigation to give a final approval.

An approval for what?

Avian transportation,*

lol

Are we flying on the backs of birds now?

14 ( +18 / -4 )

What Trump imagines in his simple mind is an air traffic controller who is Black, female, nonbinary, liberal, and Muslim. And therefore incompetent.

11 ( +16 / -5 )

Trump made a completely baseless statement to deflect from a bad PR situation because he always does. There is no either side, there is no DEI aspect to this.

15 ( +17 / -2 )

funkymofo Today  10:03 am JST

Trump made a completely baseless statement to deflect from a bad PR situation because he always does. There is no either side, there is no DEI aspect to this.

Biden’s pick for the FAA was a DEI hire. No clue about aviation, just DEI pick.

-18 ( +1 / -19 )

What Trump imagines in his simple mind is an air traffic controller who is Black, female, nonbinary, liberal, and Muslim. And therefore incompetent.

He said he doesn't care about race but wants competence. Please watch his statement instead of making mountains out of molehills.

-14 ( +2 / -16 )

It's highly likely.

former President Joe Biden's administration for encouraging the Federal Aviation Administration to recruit workers “who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative.”

In what universe is that a good idea?

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

AI can’t replace control tower operatives but it could aid greatly in their work.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Convicted felon and former Insurrectionist-in-Chief is a dangerous embarrasment!

16 ( +17 / -1 )

Trump, expert on everything, at his absolute worst, obnoxious man.

18 ( +18 / -0 )

Biden’s pick for the FAA was a DEI hire. No clue about aviation, just DEI pick.

What evidence do you have that Biden's, or anyone else's pick for FAA had anything to do with this collision- same as Trump... ZERO.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Biden’s pick for the FAA was a DEI hire. No clue about aviation, just DEI pick.

Biden's FAA head was Michael Whitacker - a white male with 30 years of experience in the aviation industry.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

Trump has set a new standard. Blame all recent air crashes on DEI. Without evidence.

Well, DEI is and has been a problem for a very long time, so he’s 100% correct on that one. The good and only thing is, hire people that meet the qualifications, if they don’t, then they don’t make the cut, that simple.

-18 ( +1 / -19 )

The attrition rate at the FAA Academy for air traffic controllers can be around 40–50%. This means that about half of the trainees don't complete the training program and become certified air traffic controllers.  That's a pretty high standard.

“PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?” he asked a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, requesting it keep a lookout for an American Airlines Bombardier jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members from Wichita, Kan. The helicopter was on a training mission, officials would later say.

“PAT25, pass behind the CRJ,” the controller then said as American Airlines flight 5342 descended over the Potomac River just moments before landing. “CRJ” is aviation shorthand for Canadair Regional Jet.

19 seconds later they collided.

The standard procedure is to wait for the NTSB to issue a report. A serious politician wouldn't try to preempt that, let alone try to score a political point.

For example the very recent Jeju flight crash had many internet experts coming to the conclusion the pilot brought down the wrong engine. However, the final investigation found bird feathers in both engines, so it may have been more complicated.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Ha, neither do you

Neither do I what?

8 ( +8 / -0 )

--Without evidence.

Well, DEI is and has been a problem for a very long time, so he’s 100% correct on that one.

How many air crashes have been caused by DEI? And what is the evidence this one was?

10 ( +12 / -2 )

As usual, he throws up a massive lie that the MSM dutifully regurgitates. That lie gets around the world before the truth has got its boots on.

No matter what his cult followers here will try to spin, the truth will come out soon enough, sadly though just in time to be ignored by MSM because the next massive lie will be shooting around the world.

His playbook in a nutshell.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Lots of people die, and he uses this as a useful tool for promoting his agenda. A totally inhuman human. What a jerk!

14 ( +16 / -2 )

Trump blames diversity hiring as probe into deadly midair collision begins

Trump is just stating the obvious (and something that I have been saying for a while). Would you prefer a flight controller that is hired based on merit, or one hired based on skin colour, sexual orientation, or some other perceived group status? The Trump haters might want to ask themselves.

-16 ( +2 / -18 )

Trump blames diversity hiring as probe into deadly midair collision begins

Trump is just stating the obvious

No, he’s not stating the obvious.

He has no evidence that this tragedy was caused by DEI.

If he has the evidence, his point would be valid.

You want to believe it does but this doesn’t hold water in a grown-up conversation.

11 ( +16 / -5 )

turns out trump is an acronym.

tacky rude unhinged monstrous punk

7 ( +11 / -4 )

“PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?” he asked a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, requesting it keep a lookout for an American Airlines Bombardier jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members from Wichita, Kan. The helicopter was on a training mission, officials would later say.

“PAT25, pass behind the CRJ,” the controller then said as American Airlines flight 5342 descended over the Potomac River just moments before landing.

A former helicopter trainer pointed out that this was useless comms from the tower. The tower should have said, "PAT25, do you see the CRJ at your 11 o'clock approximately xxx meters yyyyy." In other words, should have specified where to look, because if they don't see it, they aren't going to have any idea where it is. Same goes for "pass behind the CRJ" - if you don't have eyes on it, you're not going to know where to go.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

His playbook in a nutshell.

Yeah, pretty much. Its a horrible form of governance.

I think his critics are missing a point which is much more awful - Trump isn't trying to deflect blame here, he's trying to forestall doing anything to solve the actual problem that, based on what little evidence we have so far, likely led to the accident.

In terms of blame Trump hasn't been in office long enough to have done anything that would have affected control towers yet. The problems that exist - which seem to be overwhelmingly related to a shortage of qualified workers - have been there for years. If the guy in the control tower was trying to do the job of two people simultaneously because he was the only one there, and that is what caused the crash, that isn't Trump's fault.

BUT the actual solution to that problem is clearly to hire more qualified workers, which is the exact opposite of what Trump is trying to do. His whole form of governance is based on a policy of firing as many workers in agencies like the FAA (which air traffic controllers work for) as he can. So he is trying to steer the debate away from the actual cause and towards one that he is more comfortable talking about, which is DEI.

The problem with that is even if DEI is eliminated completely and the FAA is only hiring the best of the best (which yeah, they should be), if they only have a budget to hire half as many people as they need the system will still have the same problem and passengers will be just as much at risk at something like this happening again. Trump doesn't have any solutions to that, and in fact he's going to make that problem worse rather than better, so he favors distraction.

Take this approach and apply it to everything that the United States Federal Government is responsible for and you get an idea of how messed up the US is going to be for the next four years.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Can we just blame this to Japan as we always do and share with each other our hate about living in this country?

A bit of paranoia there mate. The walls aren’t closing in.

I think the point is that blame shouldn’t be thrown around until the evidence is in here.

It’s an old-fashioned idea for some but I’m sticking with it.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

the last four years, various train derailments spilling toxic chemicals in various States, the airport near misses the list go on.

1) The number of such accidents has not increased over the last four years.

2) Name even one accident that has been positively attributed to DEI hires.

Not one Trump supporter this morning has offered ANY evidence for Trump's absurd claim.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

woah, let’s get back to the crash and some rational discussion instead of irrational trump nonsense.

the helicopter crew acknowledged they had the crj in sight and requested they initiate visual avoidance. that would be in lieu of the controller giving them vectors. controller said to pass behind the crj.

the controller was using both the uhf frequency for military and vhf for commercial traffic.

there was no other military traffic.

the helicopter crew was at fault. what we don’t know is if they were wearing night vision equipment, which can be distracting in an area of many bright lights. it’s more effective in areas of low ambient light.

or, were they looking inside the cockpit instead of outside the cockpit. in vfr, you’re outside as much as possible.

there is no cockpit voice recorder in blackhawks, so that question cannot be answered.

either way, the blackhawk was at fault.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

I'veSeenFootageToday  07:08 am JST

He has a valid point: the best people are needed in critical roles.

Ironic, since him and the majority of his cabinet are grossly unqualified.

Pray tell, how does one become qualified to be President? Is there an undergraduate course?

-14 ( +2 / -16 )

Sixty-seven people are believed to have died in the Wednesday evening crash, which occurred while a flight from Wichita, Kansas, was landing at Washington Reagan National Airport. As Trump spoke, the federal investigation was just beginning and first responders were still working to recover bodies from the Potomac River.

The families will demand answers, transparency, straight forward honesty.

Count on that too.

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

Trump has been programmed so that if you stick a microphone in front of his face, he'll babble something offensive. And the media love him for it. This is why he dominates the news cycle.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

a tragic accident. it’s been 15 years a fatal airline accident.

in those 15 years, 6 million people died in car accidents in the u.s.

did dei cause those?

how about licensing only the best of the best drivers? where is the outrage at 6 million deaths, and where are the committees and boards and investigations to making driving safer? nowhere to be found.

get some perspective.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

sorry, i meant 600,000 deaths.

well, i guess 600,000 is no big deal. forget it.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Every day Trump gives us more evidence of what a disgusting cretin he is...

Bodies are still being recovered, families are grieving, and this miscreant can't even manage a calming and empathetic statement...

He has to foment hate and division - even during this tragedy...

His mind is a cesspool...what's left of it...

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Dont we all think that President Trump has a report on his desk sof the exact numbers of people in the air traffic control tower and the records of those people in that tower at the time of the crash?

He knows much more than we do…

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

Dont we all think that President Trump has a report on his desk sof the exact numbers of people in the air traffic control tower and the records of those people in that tower at the time of the crash?

He might, but there are two more useful questions:

1) If there is, did he read it?

2) If he read it, did he care?

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Donald Trumps Presidency did not happen by accident he was chosen, without any doubt by the US people to deliver his mandate.

Like it, support it, or lump it.

This tragedy is a test, President Donald Trump doesn't hide his assumptions, that I respect rightfully or wrongly.

Joe Biden would never face the public in such a straightforward manner, whether through age related cognitive lapses or otherwise.

Trump is what you see is what you get, he has a overwhelming mandate to stamp his authority as a leader.

Something long over due.

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

This tragedy is a test, President Donald Trump doesn't hide his assumptions, that I respect rightfully or wrongly

Assumptions? We are talking about an appalling tragedy here, not who farted who swiped the last biscuit.

I don’t respect people who throw blame around in a situation like this with no evidence.

I wouldn’t regard them as fully functioning adults.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

This is precisely why DEI is so corrosive. Rightly or wrongly, the true competence of every racial minority is called into question when DEI programs are widespread. Particularly in professions which are cognitively demanding such as ATC, pilots, surgeons, etc.

I think the point is that blame shouldn’t be thrown around until the evidence is in here.

What evidence would you need to see to convince you that DEI may have played a role?

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

itsonlyrocknroll

This tragedy is a test,

And Trump failed.

President Donald Trump doesn't hide his assumptions, that I respect rightfully or wrongly.

And assumptions are useless. He would have been better not to have said anything at all.

And the fact that DEI and any similar programs do not apply to air traffic control hiring, means the assumption is wrong.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Jimizo,

Donald Trumps "DEI" assumptions are nothing more.

At present.

However such "assumptions" need to be aired, debated in public, not allowed to fester provoke unchecked behind closed doors.

Main stream media will be on there toes, can smell blood "Gilding the social media lily"

Anger must be confronted. If only for the sake of the lost souls families.

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

I think the point is that blame shouldn’t be thrown around until the evidence is in here.

What evidence would you need to see to convince you that DEI may have played a role?

I’d have to see the outcome of the investigation.

What a bizarre concept. Maybe it’s just me.

Lots of questions to answer.

Who was culpable? Why was this person(s) hired? Does this person(s) have a record of ineptitude? I’m sure any serious person could add more.

I’d also like to know about staffing levels, possible malfunctions, weather conditions etc.

All that objective nonsense.

What a traditionalist, eh?

8 ( +10 / -2 )

after seeing the helicopter navigation charts for the area, the helicopter was following the prescribed route.

the chart says the maximum altitude is 200' through the area of the final approaches into DCA until well south of the area.

the helicopter busted the maximum height and was at 300'-400' or more.

there you have it.

there is no dei in aviation charts. trump is a fool to rail about atc.

pilot error.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

This independent investigation must only be based on facts, NOT assumptions.

You know this, Underworld we all know it.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

With so many tragic victims, the US people will settle for nothing less.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

itsonlyrocknroll

This independent investigation must only be based on facts, NOT assumptions.

You know this, Underworld we all know it.

And it's a fact that DEI and any similar programs do not apply to air traffic control hiring.

So Trump should have brought it up.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

M3M3M3, s a valid point to make.

This whole "DEI" cesspool of misery needs to be fully exercised then expelled from every nook and cranny.

-14 ( +2 / -16 )

Wonder if anyone even stopped to consider for a second that Trump may know something that is not out there in the media yet.

Hint - only two of the three people onboard the helicopter have been identified.

Start there and work it out for yourself.

-18 ( +1 / -19 )

Trump lies, he has no common sense what so ever. The un-presidential president that Americans voted in is an idiot and this statement from him is just absurd. It will get worse as his mind fully degenerates into senile old age. Welcome to MAGA world.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

What a tragedy.

CNN reports numerous near misses involving helicopters at that airport, one the day before.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/30/us/dca-plane-helicopter-crash-invs/index.html

I'll just say that news of previous safety issues there will not bring comfort to the bereaved.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

"He might, but there are two more useful questions:

1) If there is, did he read it?

2) If he read it, did he care?"

Anything suggesting he wouldn't?

See, as an example, his response to Covid. He spread lies about it, many people died as a result, he never once seemed to express regret or remorse. If anything, he doubled down.

Several experts have said that he shows most of the signs of either a sociopath or a psychopath, one of which is a complete absence of empathy.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

DEI started in the 1960s. Plane crashes have decreased since then. In the 1970s there were 6 fatal airliner accidents for every million commercial flights. This meant about 1 in every 165,000 flights ended in a fatal accident.

By 2020 it it about 0.5 fatalities per million flights. It takes more than 2 million flights for a fatal accident to occur.

Not DEI then.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

It's a tragedy, but as much as I despise DEI hiring, this accident was not that.

It seems the helicopter was at an incorrect altitude (100ft higher than it should have been) and when asked if they had the airliner in sight, might have mistaken it for another airliner nearby. They said they had it in sight and were given instructions to keep clear of the airliner.

There may be some system-wide failures (or rather things that could have been done differently), but ultimately, it looks like pilot error on behalf of the helicopter training flight.

RIP to all involved and sympathy with the families. Shame on Trump using it for cheap political shots so soon after the accident.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Underworld

And it's a fact that DEI and any similar programs do not apply to air traffic control hiring.

If that is so, the presidential order to roll back DEI in traffic control would be pretty meaningless, so why the huffing and puffing about it?

https://apnews.com/live/dc-plane-crash-reagan-updates#00000194-b9b6-d4ac-abf5-bbb7a8150000

-13 ( +2 / -15 )

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