Trump Blamed for Politicizing Fatal Washington Crash, Cites 'Diversity Hiring'

WASHINGTON — As the bodies of 67 victims were recovered from the Potomac River, US President Donald Trump drew sharp backlash for linking the deadly midair collision between a passenger plane and a Black Hawk helicopter to "diversity hiring."

Trump, speaking at a press conference, accused the Biden administration of prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) over competence, suggesting that such policies led to staffing issues at the control tower during the crash. One air traffic controller, instead of the usual two, was handling both the plane and helicopter traffic.

The collision occurred when American Airlines flight 5342, carrying 64 passengers, was preparing to land at Reagan National Airport. The Black Hawk helicopter, with three on board, was conducting a routine night training flight. A fireball erupted after the crash, and both aircraft plunged into the Potomac.

Trump’s comments drew widespread criticism, with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg calling them “despicable,” and Democratic Senator Chris Murphy condemning the rhetoric as “disgusting.” Despite the criticism, Trump doubled down, issuing a memo calling for an investigation into "deterioration in hiring standards" under Biden.

Among the victims were U.S. figure skaters returning from a competition. Officials are still investigating the cause of the collision, which took place under clear skies and good visibility.