President Donald Trump blamed diversity, equity, and inclusion programs for a midair collision near Washington, D.C., without citing evidence to support his claims. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash, which killed multiple people.
In a social media post, Trump alleged that the Federal Aviation Administration altered its hiring standards under former president Joe Biden, stating the agency was “actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities and psychiatric problems and other mental and physical conditions under diversity and inclusion hiring initiatives.”
It was not immediately clear whether the Biden administration had changed hiring standards at the FAA. The agency has long maintained programs to hire individuals with disabilities, including during Trump’s first presidency.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the collision, which involved a small plane and a helicopter conducting flight training. Officials have not indicated that pilot qualifications or hiring practices played a role in the crash.
Investigators have not determined the cause of the crash, and no link has been established between FAA hiring practices and the incident.
