Less than a day after the deadly collision of American Airlines Flight 5342 and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter killed 67 people over the Potomac River, President Donald Trump pointed to diversity programs as the cause of the crash. This came as three of his most controversial nominees were facing questions on Capitol Hill about their lack of traditional qualifications to lead the FBI, coordinate the nation’s spy agencies, and administer its public health system.
Trump’s comments were met with skepticism, as experts pointed out that air traffic controllers are required to pass the same aptitude test, regardless of their background. The Federal Aviation Administration had previously reported a shortage of air traffic controllers, with one controller working two tower positions at the time of the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the crash, which will examine the human, machine, and environmental factors that contributed to the accident. Trump’s claims about diversity programs were met with criticism, as experts pointed out that the FAA lags behind the rest of the federal workforce in terms of diversity, with a higher percentage of white men employed than the national average.
Meanwhile, Trump’s nominees for top administration positions were facing scrutiny over their qualifications. Kash Patel, Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, has pledged not to engage in a campaign of retribution if confirmed, despite previous statements about an enemies list and Trump opponents who should be investigated. Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick to coordinate the nation’s spy agencies, faced skepticism over her plan to push for a pardon for Edward Snowden, the former intelligence contractor who leaked classified information.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services, faced questions about his vaccine skepticism. The irony of Trump’s comments was not lost on critics, who pointed out that the president was claiming a broad mandate to deconstruct the federal bureaucracy, even as he was facing questions about the qualifications of his own nominees.