President Trump Scathed for Heartless Remarks that Suggest Minorities Were Responsible for the D.C. Plane Crash that Killed 67 People

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President Trump is being scathed for making heartless remarks that suggested minorities in the aviation workforce were responsible for the recent Potomac River plane crash that killed 67 people—The crash involved American Airlines flight 5342 and a U.S. Army helicopter. There were no survivors.

During his national address about the crash, the President stated, "We must have only the highest standards for those who work in our aviation system—"I changed the Obama standards from very mediocre at best to extraordinary. He continued, "You remember that. Only the highest aptitude. They have to be the highest intellect and psychologically superior people were allowed to qualify for air traffic controllers. That was not so prior to getting there."

According to TIME, In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Trump blamed diversity initiatives for weakening air traffic control standards, without offering any evidence. He said in the White House press briefing room on Jan. 30 that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives "could" have contributed to the crash, adding that he was relying on "common sense" to make that assertion. "For some jobs, we need the highest level of genius," Trump said.

As reported by the NY Daily News, the FAA report noted that the control tower was short-staffed at the time of the crash, and one air traffic controller was handling both planes and helicopters, which would typically be tasks for two workers. As stated by TIME, Just days before the crash, President Donald Trump enacted a sweeping shake-up of the federal agencies responsible for aviation oversight, removing the administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), David Pekoske, and eliminating all the members of a key aviation security advisory group. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which regulates airlines and aircraft manufacturers and manages the nation's airspace, was also without permanent leadership at the time of the crash, as its top official, Michael Whitaker, stepped down ahead of the new administration's transition after clashing with Trump ally Elon Musk. Whitaker became the agency's administrator in October 2023."

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries is among other citizens and politicians who have an opinion on the President's handling of this national tragedy. On Friday, Jeffries scathed Trump for lacking any evidence to blame the American Airlines Flight 5342 and Army helicopter flight on diversity initiatives. Jeffries stated, "There is not a scintilla of evidence that exists to suggest that women and people of color are to blame for the tragedy that took place," Jeffries said. "And it was shameful." Jeffries continued, "While people are suffering, extreme MAGA Republicans are peddling lies and attacking people of color and women without any basis whatsoever," he contended. "This is not America. The American people deserve better."

Senator Tim Kaine also addressed President Trump's remarks with CNN; he stated, "I hope somebody asks President Trump why he scrapped, why he decided on January 22 to scrap the aviation safety board, an advisory board at the Department of Homeland Security." "The order scrapping that advisory board said that it was not consistent with the agency's mission toward national security. What an odd thing to say, that air safety is not connected to national security."

Routes to the Reagan National Airport are reportedly closed indefinitely from what is considered the deadliest U.S. air disaster in more than 20 years. Rescuers have reportedly pulled more than 40 bodies from the icy waters of the Potomac River—67 people are assumed to be dead, including three army soldiers who were on the U.S. Army Black Hawk Helicopter.

The American Airlines 5342 flight crew were Captain Jonathan Campos, First Officer Sam Lilley, and flight attendants Danasia Elder Brown and Ian Epstein.

American Airlines 5342 flight crew—flight attendant Ian Epstein, First Officer Sam Lilley, Captain Jonathan Campos, and flight attendant Danasia Elder Brown

Among those lost in the crash were several people returning home from a figure skating development camp. ABC News reports the names of passengers who have been identified: Husband and wife, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, mother and daughter; Jinna Han and Jin Han, mother, and son; Spencer Lane and Christine Lane, Alexandr Kirsanov, Samuel Lilley, Wendy Jo Shaffer, mother and daughter, Justyna and Brielle Beyer, attorney Elizabeth Keys, skaters Sean Kay and Angela Yang, father, Casey Crafton, student, Grace Maxwell, skater Olivia Ter, attorney Kiah Duggins, professor Lindsey Fields, Donna Smojice Livingston, her husband Peter Livingston, and their daughters Everly Livingston and Alydia Livingston (Everly and Alydia were the famed duo behind the "Ice Skating Sisters" Instagram); plumbers Jesse Pritcher, Charles McDaniel, Johnathan Boyd, Michael Stovall, Alexander' Alex' Huffman, attorney Sarah Best, Melissa Nicandri, and two of the soldiers on the U.S. Army Black Hawk Helicopter, Ryan Austin O'Hara and Andrew Loyd Eaves. The third soldier has yet to be identified.

We extend our condolences to every family touched by this tragedy.

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