Following a fatal mid-air collision over the nation's capital, former President Donald Trump addressed the press in the White House briefing room, raising concerns about the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. While stating that the cause of the tragic incident, involving an American Airlines jet and a military Black Hawk helicopter, was still under investigation, Trump stressed the importance of maintaining the highest standards for aviation personnel.

He emphasized the need for air traffic controllers to possess exceptional intellect and psychological aptitude, prioritizing talent and ability over other factors. Trump asserted that he had previously elevated qualification standards during his first term, but these were subsequently lowered by the Biden administration. He confirmed reinstating the higher standards through a recent executive order.

Trump cited articles discussing the FAA's diversity push, expressing concern about the agency's recruitment of individuals with intellectual disabilities, psychiatric issues, and other conditions. He noted that while this language existed on the FAA website during both his and Biden's administrations, the potential impact on safety needed scrutiny. The FAA, when questioned about this initiative last year, affirmed its commitment to recruiting qualified candidates from diverse sources for various positions.

Trump also criticized former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, deeming him a "disaster." When pressed by reporters about whether DEI initiatives directly contributed to the crash, Trump acknowledged the ongoing investigation but suggested it as a possibility. Buttigieg responded on social media, labeling Trump's remarks "despicable" and emphasizing the prioritization of safety during his tenure, which saw no commercial airline crash fatalities.

The collision involved an American Airlines flight with 64 people on board and a Black Hawk helicopter with three service members. Tragically, there were no survivors.