New Transportation Secretary Confronts Crisis After Midair Collision at Reagan National Airport
Sean Duffy, the newly sworn-in Secretary of Transportation, faced a crisis just hours into his tenure when a midair collision occurred at Reagan National Airport, resulting in the presumed deaths of 67 people. Duffy, who was brought to the podium by President Donald Trump to speak on the tragedy, condemned the accident as “preventable” and vowed that the Trump administration would not rest until answers are given to the families and the flying public.
As the second-in-command of the Department of Transportation, Duffy will be the public face of the administration’s response to the crisis, which includes addressing the nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers and potential changes to the Washington, DC-area airspace. The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, with the Federal Aviation Administration assisting.
Dana LaHood, former Transportation Secretary under President Barack Obama, suggested that the crisis would be a challenge for the new administration, given the lack of a permanent administrator at the FAA and other vacancies within the department.
Duffy, a former US Representative and Fox Business host, has a team of 55,000 employees at his disposal as he navigates the complex issues facing the nation, including Boeing’s quality control issues, airline labor union strike threats, and climate-focused initiatives such as electric vehicles and charging stations. His priority will be to address the crisis and provide answers to those affected by the tragedy.
