On Thursday morning, President Donald Trump spoke at the White House following the deadly midair collision of an American Eagle regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C. The crash, which occurred Wednesday night, was the first major commercial plane crash in the U.S. in over a decade, leaving no survivors.
Trump Expresses Condolences, Launches Recovery Mission
President Trump opened his remarks by acknowledging the devastating loss, stating, “We are in mourning; this has really shaken a lot of people.” He praised the efforts of first responders, who have been working tirelessly in a “massive search and rescue operation,” which has now shifted to a recovery mission.
So far, emergency crews have recovered 27 bodies from the plane and one from the helicopter, with recovery efforts ongoing in the Potomac River.
Blame Pointed Toward DEI Initiatives and FAA Leadership
In his address, Trump claimed that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives could have played a role in the crash. Without offering specific evidence, he suggested that current FAA hiring practices had compromised safety.
“I put safety first. Obama, Biden, and the Democrats put policy first,” Trump said, criticizing what he described as an “FAA diversity push” that includes hiring individuals with disabilities for air traffic control and other key positions. “Brilliant people have to be in those positions,” he added.
Trump announced the appointment of Christopher Rocheleau as acting commissioner of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), signaling immediate changes to the agency’s leadership.
Top Officials Outline Investigation and Safety Reform Plans
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also spoke during the press briefing. Duffy emphasized a “whole of government response” to the crash and committed to a swift investigation.
“What happened yesterday shouldn’t have happened,” Duffy said. “We won’t accept excuses. We will take responsibility and implement reforms to prevent future disasters.”
Hegseth echoed Trump’s criticism of DEI policies within the Department of Defense, declaring, “The era of DEI is gone.” He revealed that the helicopter crew—comprised of a young captain, a staff sergeant, and a chief warrant officer—was on a “routine annual retraining” mission.
Both Hegseth and Trump acknowledged that the exact cause of the crash remains unclear. However, Hegseth noted that an “elevation issue” during the flight could have been a contributing factor.
Democratic Response and Criticism of Trump’s Remarks
Top Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, criticized Trump’s speculative comments on diversity and the Biden administration. Schumer called Trump’s remarks “idle speculation” while bodies were still being recovered. “It just turns your stomach,” Schumer said.
Ongoing Search and Recovery Efforts
Emergency crews, led by District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief John Donnelly, continued their work at the crash site on Thursday.
Officials are working to locate the remaining victims and recover more parts of the wreckage. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation to determine whether pilot error, mechanical failure, or air traffic control issues caused the crash.
As the investigation unfolds, questions surrounding the cause of the collision remain unanswered. Trump’s remarks have added a layer of political tension, but the focus remains on recovering the victims and preventing future tragedies. The search for clarity is ongoing, and federal agencies are committed to ensuring safer skies for the future.