Former President Donald Trump has linked the fatal midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter in Washington DC to diversity hiring practices, claiming that left-wing policies under previous administrations had sidelined qualified employees at the Federal Aviation Administration. While confirming the deaths of all those aboard both aircraft and acknowledging pilot error on the helicopter's part, Trump used a press conference to launch a scathing attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Former President Donald Trump launched an extraordinary political attack on Thursday, January 30, blaming diversity hiring practices for the midair collision between an airliner and a military helicopter. Trump confirmed the deaths of all those aboard both aircraft and also cited pilot error on the helicopter in the nighttime crash.
However, he primarily used a press conference to criticize what he claimed were left-wing diversity initiatives under his predecessors, Joe Biden and Barack Obama, which he alleged sidelined qualified employees at the Federal Aviation Administration. 'I put safety first. Obama, Biden, and the Democrats put policy first,' Trump stated. 'They actually came out with a directive: 'too white.' And we want the people that are competent.' Wreckage of the Bombardier jet operated by an American Airlines subsidiary protruded from the water's surface, surrounded by emergency vessels and diving teams. It had been carrying 64 people. The army Blackhawk helicopter, which had three soldiers aboard, was also in the river. 'We are now at a point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation,' Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly said. Twenty-eight bodies had already been found.The collision, the first major crash in the United States since 2009 when 49 people were killed near Buffalo, New York, occurred late on Wednesday evening as the airliner came into land at Reagan National Airport after a routine flight from Wichita, Kansas. Reagan National is a major airport located only a short distance from downtown Washington, the Pentagon, and other major sites in the capital. The airspace is extremely busy, with civilian and military aircraft a constant presence. Dramatic audio from air traffic controllers showed them repeatedly asking the helicopter if it had the passenger jet 'in sight,' and then just before the crash telling it to 'pass behind' the plane. Trump opened his press conference by speaking of the nation's 'anguish' and said that the investigation would take time. However, he then launched into an extended broadside against so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. 'He's run it right into the ground with his diversity,' Trump said. The message was hammered home as Trump's vice president, JD Vance, and new defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, took turns at the podium to repeat that diversity measures kept capable Americans out of responsible jobs. Asked again by reporters whether he was blaming workplace diversity for the crash, Trump answered: 'It could have been.'Transport officials said both aircraft were on standard flight patterns on a clear night with good visibility. Hegseth said the Black Hawk chopper had 'a fairly experienced crew that was doing a required annual night evaluation.' Trump, in addition to blaming racial and other kinds of diversity policies, offered extended remarks on the flight paths. 'The air traffic controller said, 'Do you see ... Do you see him?' But there was very little time left when that was stated,' the president added, blaming a 'confluence of bad decisions'
Trump Diversity Helicopter Crash Aviation Safety Federal Aviation Administration
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump to sign orders ending diversity programs, proclaim there are only two sexesWASHINGTON: President-elect Donald Trump will issue executive orders upon taking office slashing diversity, equity and inclusion programs and proclaiming that the US federal government will only recognise two sexes, male and female, an incoming White House official said on Monday (Jan 20).
Read more »
Trump administration asks federal agencies to terminate diversity rolesWASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump's administration asked US federal agencies on Friday (Jan 24) to terminate roles and offices related to diversity, equity and inclusion programs, a memo circulated by the Office of Personnel Management showed.
Read more »
Thousands gather in Washington to protest Trump inaugurationWASHINGTON: Several thousand people, mostly women, gathered in Washington on Saturday (Jan 18) to protest President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, with some wearing the pink hats that marked the muc
Read more »
Trump arrives in Washington as inauguration celebrations begin with fireworks, Elvis impersonatorSTERLING, Virginia — President-elect Donald Trump arrived in the Washington area on Saturday (Jan 18) evening for a celebration of his return to power ahead of an inauguration ceremony that has been upended by record cold temperatures.
Read more »
Trump draws thousands to Washington rally for a pre-inauguration victory lapWASHINGTON: Thousands of Donald Trump's supporters waited for hours in the cold and rain to attend his victory rally on Sunday (Jan 19), a day before the president-elect returns to p
Read more »
Trump administration memo tells USAID to put "America First" in reviewing foreign aidWASHINGTON: The Trump administration urged US Agency for International Development (USAID) workers to join the effort to transform how Washington allocates aid around the world in line with
Read more »