Trump Orders $2.1M DEI Probe After Deadly Crash

After a January plane crash at Reagan National Airport killed 67 people, President Trump attributed the disaster to FAA diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, despite lacking supporting evidence. In response, the Department of Transportation, led by Secretary Sean Duffy, commissioned a $2.1 million investigation headed by Alex Spiro, a prominent attorney known for representing Elon Musk, to determine whether DEI policies contributed to aviation incidents. The probe has been widely criticized as a misuse of taxpayer funds amid ongoing FAA staffing and technology crises, with many experts and officials dismissing the claims as politically motivated. Confidential documents indicate that the investigation stems primarily from Trump's personal beliefs rather than data or specific safety failures. The review is expected to find no evidence linking DEI initiatives to aviation disasters. This episode highlights persistent tensions between political leadership and aviation professionals during a challenging period for the FAA.