Trump Appoints New FAA Chief After DC Crash

Following a catastrophic collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump has blamed the accident on diversity hiring practices initiated by the Obama and Biden administrations. Trump criticized these DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives, claiming they lowered safety standards within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). While acknowledging that the exact cause of the crash remains unknown, Trump emphasized that he had previously raised standards for air traffic controllers during his presidency. The crash, which resulted in the feared deaths of all 64 individuals on board both aircraft, is being investigated, but Trump has already appointed Chris Rocheleau as acting FAA administrator. The incident has sparked a switch from a rescue to a recovery operation, with 28 bodies recovered so far from the Potomac River. Trump's remarks have provoked debate over the politicization of the tragedy and the role of diversity initiatives in federal hiring practices.