Pat Stevens/
President Donald Trump opened yesterday’s White House briefing with a moment of silence for victims of the Reagan National Airport crash but quickly shifted to controversial claims, blaming diversity hiring for the tragedy.
The collision, involving an American Airlines plane and a U.S. Army helicopter, remains under investigation, with no official cause identified.
Despite this, Trump alleged that federal diversity policies, initiated by Democrats, undermined aviation safety, calling for “brighter, sharper” personnel in key roles like air traffic control.
Former Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, whom Trump labeled a “disaster,” condemned the remarks as “despicable.”
Reporters challenged Trump’s claims, pointing out that the FAA’s diversity efforts predated his administration and continued unchanged during his term.
Amid calls for accountability, Trump used the tragedy to push for swift confirmations of his administration’s appointees, emphasising the need for “the best people” in critical roles.
Critics accused him of politicising the crisis while investigators work to uncover the facts.
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