Trump Blames DEI Policies for DC Plane Crash, 67 Dead

In the aftermath of a tragic midair collision near Washington, D.C., President Trump and his allies have implicated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies as contributing factors to the crash, which resulted in the deaths of all 67 individuals aboard the two aircraft. During a press conference, Trump criticized the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) DEI initiatives, suggesting they compromised safety standards and quality within the federal workforce. He expressed that only the 'highest aptitude' individuals should be allowed in critical aviation roles, dismissing the importance of diversity in favor of merit-based hiring. Trump's comments were echoed by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, both of whom emphasized the need for reform in light of the tragedy. Critics, including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, countered that Trump’s remarks were misleading and that the FAA had a strong safety record under their leadership. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board.