Categories: USA

Trump blames the hiring of diversity as a probe on a fatal plane crash DC begins

Washington (AP) – As the nation was relieved of the most deadly American aviation disaster in more than two decades, president Donald Trump Thursday, blame the diversity initiatives to have undergone air security and question the actions of a helicopter pilot of the American army involved in the open -air collision with a commercial airliner.

Sixty-seven people would have Died in the Wednesday evening accidentWho performed then that a flight from Wichita, Kansas, landed at Washington Reagan National Airport. While Trump spoke, the federal investigation was just beginning and the first speakers were still working to recover the bodies of the Potomac river.

The officials have not yet formally established the causes of the collision, and Trump himself admitted that it was too early to draw conclusions when he encouraged the country to pray for the victims. But he quickly decided to engage in speculation and political attacks, at a time when the Americans traditionally turn to the presidency of comfort, insurance and facts.

“Really bad things have happened and some things happened that should not have happened,” said Republican President of the White House briefing room, just over three kilometers or five kilometers from the catastrophe scene.

Trump blamed the administration of former president Joe Biden for encouraging the Federal Aviation Administration to recruit workers “who suffer from strong intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems and other mental and physical conditions within the framework of an initiative hiring of diversity and inclusion. ” He added that the program allowed the hiring of people with hearing and vision problems as well as paralysis, epilepsy and “navism”.

Trump did not share any evidence that unskilled people were placed in critical positions such as air traffic control, and he recognized that there was no indication that airport airport controllers National of Reagan made mistakes.

When he was asked why he blamed diversity initiatives, Trump said: “Because I have common sense, and unfortunately many people don’t.”

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

“They must be talented and naturally talented geniuses,” he said. “You cannot have ordinary people who do their job.”

Trump specifically complained of Pete ButtigiegWho was Biden’s transport secretary and was a candidate to challenge Trump for the White House in 2020, calling him “a disaster”.

“He put the ground with his diversity,” said Trump, adding blasphemies to his description of Buttigieg.

Buttigieg replied in an article on X, calling “despicable” Trump comments.

“While families cry, Trump should lead, not lying,” he added.

As if to underline Trump’s point, the White House invited journalists in the oval office to see him sign another decree which, according to officials, would cease “awakening policies” in federal aviation. Trump had already signed a decree ending diversity initiatives at FAA last week.

“We want the most competent people,” said Trump. “We don’t care about their race.”

When asked if he planned to visit the accident site, Trump said he would meet members of the family of victims.

“What is the site?” Water? Do you want me to swim? The president said.

FAA’s diversity efforts are not new. Before Trump’s administration withdraws them from the agency’s website this month, they have been promoted to it since at least 2013, including during Trump’s first term. According to snapshots, a substantially similar language on the search for disabled candidates was on the site during Biden’s mandate and Trump’s first mandate.

The former FAA administrator, Michael Whitaker adage that even if the FAA is looking for qualified candidates from a range of sources, everyone must “respond to the rigorous qualifications which of course vary depending on the position”.

The plane crash was the first major disaster of the new term of Trump, and his response spoke of his frequent – and controversial – pandemic on the COVVI -19 pandemic. His handling of the pandemic Helped the bitter voters On him because he failed to win the re -election in 2020.

After telling the families of the dead that “our hearts are broken alongside yours” and led a moment of silence, Trump managed to speculate on what had happened. “We don’t know what has led to this crash, but we have very strong opinions,” he said.

Trump wondered if the helicopter pilot wore night glasses, said that “you had a pilot problem” and that the helicopter “went to an angle that was incredibly bad”. He asked why the army pilot did not change course, saying that “you can stop a helicopter very quickly”.

He also thought about air traffic controllers, saying of the two planes: “For any reason, they were at the same altitude”, adding “they should have been at a different height”.

Even if Trump rushed to think publicly about the reasons for the accident, the National Transportation Safety Board was more circumspect when he begins to examine what happened.

“We examine the facts, on our investigation, and it will take some time,” said Jennifer Homendy, president of the board of directors.

Democrats criticized Trump’s comments on Thursday.

“This is one thing for Internet experts to offer conspiracy theories, it’s another for the President of the United States,” said Senate Democrat, Chuck Schumer in New York.

Vice-president JD Vance, Sean Duffy transport secretary And the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth all aligned himself behind Trump to rent his leadership and echo his concerns concerning diversity programs and hiring.

“When you do not have the best standards in which you hire, it means that one part, you do not get the best people in the government,” said Vance, “but on the other hand, it emphasizes People who are already there.

Trump wanted to say to Duffy, who was sworn in Tuesday as a replacement of Buttigieg, “it is not your fault.” Duffy took the White House podium alongside Trump and said: “When Americans take off in planes, they should expect to land at their destination.” Duffy added: “We will not accept apologies.”

Federal officials have raised concerns Regarding an over-rich and sub-employed air traffic control system for years, in particular after a series of close calls between the planes of American airports. They have cited problems with competitive wages, long hours, intensive training and compulsory pensions for contributing to endowment shortages.

“Although these events are incredibly rare, our security system shows clear signs of tension that we cannot ignore,” Mumendy told legislators in 2023. published a report Above the same time saying that FAA needs better endowment, equipment and technology.