President Donald Trump has ordered an urgent review of aviation safety after a deadly plane crash in Washington, D.C. The accident occurred Wednesday night when an American Airlines jet carrying 64 passengers collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three soldiers. Both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport, leaving all 67 people on board presumed dead.
On Thursday, Trump signed two executive orders in response to the tragedy. The first appointed Chris Rocheleau as the acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Rocheleau, who previously held leadership roles at the FAA and served as CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), has extensive experience in aviation safety and emergency operations.
The second executive order calls for an immediate assessment of aviation safety. Trump emphasized the need to prioritize competence over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in hiring practices. He criticized past administrations for implementing policies that, he argued, compromised safety. According to Trump, both the Obama and Biden administrations shifted the FAA’s hiring focus from aptitude-based assessments to diversity initiatives, including recruiting individuals with severe intellectual disabilities.
“During my first term, my administration raised standards to achieve the highest levels of safety and excellence,” Trump stated in a memorandum.
He blamed past hiring policies for weakening the FAA’s ability to prevent disasters like Wednesday’s crash.
The FAA has not commented on Trump’s claims. However, aviation experts say that while diversity policies exist, there is no evidence linking them to safety failures. Critics argue that blaming hiring practices for the crash is premature, as investigations are still underway.
Search and rescue teams worked through the night to recover wreckage from the Potomac River. Officials have yet to determine the exact cause of the collision, but early reports suggest communication failures may have played a role.
Trump’s actions aim to reassure the public and restore confidence in aviation safety. The administration has pledged to take immediate steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Rocheleau’s leadership at the FAA is expected to bring stability during this critical time.
Join the Community and Be a Part of the Conversation
You must be logged in or registered to post a comment.