The President of the United States, Donald Trump, spoke this Thursday following the air accident that occurred in Washington D.C., confirming that "there are no survivors."
During a press conference, Trump called for a moment of silence in honor of the victims and assured that the nation is mourning alongside other countries that also lost citizens in the tragedy.
The U.S. military and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. “We will find out how this disaster happened and ensure that nothing like this occurs again,” stated Trump, who announced the appointment of Chris Rocheleau, a 22-year veteran of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as the interim commissioner of the agency.
In his speech, Trump also criticized the current hiring system for air traffic controllers at the FAA, suggesting that diversity and inclusion policies have allowed the hiring of workers with intellectual disabilities, psychiatric issues, and other physical conditions.
"Air traffic controllers must be geniuses. You can't let ordinary people do their job", he stated, emphasizing that his priority is to restore confidence in air travel in the U.S.
The president also argued that during his previous administration (2017-2021), higher standards were maintained for the selection of air traffic controllers and accused former President Joe Biden of having eliminated key tests in the evaluation process.
"We have a high standard. We have had a much higher standard than anyone else. And there are things that need to be evaluated based on intellectual capacity, the psychological quality must be assessed, and psychological quality is a very important element. It involves several very powerful tests that were used, and Biden eliminated them, and Biden relied on a standard that is exactly the opposite," Trump stated.
The leader emphasized the necessity of selecting the best professionals to ensure the country's air safety. “For an air traffic controller, we want the brightest, the smartest, the sharpest. We want someone who is psychologically superior, and that is what we will have,” he assured.
When asked if diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies could have been responsible for the accident, Trump replied: "It could have been." However, no concrete evidence was presented to support this claim.
According to an article from Fox News, published in 2024, the FAA was implementing diversity initiatives that include hiring people with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities. These policies aim to promote inclusion in the workplace and provide opportunities for individuals with diverse abilities.
The FAA has defended these initiatives, stating that all employees, regardless of their abilities, must meet the rigorous standards established to ensure aviation safety.
The disaster
The accident occurred when a Black Hawk helicopter, code PAT25, collided with a commercial CRJ aircraft from American Eagle, a regional subsidiary of American Airlines, coming from Wichita, Kansas, near Ronald Reagan Airport in Washington D.C. Radio communications between the control tower and the helicopter crew indicate that they were aware of the proximity of the aircraft.
In a recording from liveatc.net, the air traffic controller can be heard asking, "PAT25, do you have a CRJ in sight?" and giving the instruction, "PAT25, taxi behind the CRJ" at 20:47 (0147 GMT). Seconds later, another aircraft calls the control tower asking, "Tower, did you see that?", apparently referring to the collision.
The impact was captured in a video from the nearby Kennedy Center, showing a massive explosion that lit up the night sky. Just after the collision, an air traffic controller was heard reporting over the radio: "I just saw a fireball and then it disappeared. I haven't seen anything since they crashed into the river."
Subsequently, the controllers redirected the approaching aircraft away from runway 33 to avoid the area of the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions about Air Safety in the U.S. and Statements by Donald Trump
What measures has Donald Trump announced to improve air security in the U.S.?
Donald Trump has promised to hire the most qualified air traffic controllers and restore high selection standards following a tragic plane crash in Washington D.C. that left no survivors. He also appointed Chris Rocheleau as the interim commissioner of the FAA to lead these efforts.
What criticisms has Trump made about the current system for hiring air traffic controllers?
Trump criticized the diversity and inclusion policies of the FAA, suggesting that they allowed for the hiring of individuals with intellectual disabilities and psychiatric issues, which, according to him, could compromise air safety. He asserted that controllers must be the most qualified and psychologically superior.
What is known about the plane crash in Washington D.C.?
The accident involved a Black Hawk helicopter and a CRJ commercial aircraft near Ronald Reagan airport, resulting in a collision that caused an explosion visible from the Kennedy Center. Currently, the FAA, NTSB, and the U.S. military are investigating the incident to determine the causes and prevent future disasters.
What is the FAA's stance on diversity and inclusion policies?
The FAA defends its diversity and inclusion policies, arguing that all employees must meet rigorous standards to ensure safety in aviation, regardless of their abilities. These policies aim to provide employment opportunities for individuals with diverse abilities.
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