This week, 67 people lost their lives in a tragic airplane accident near Reagan Airport in Washington, DC. A helicopter operated by the Department of Defence collided with a commercial jetliner over the Potomac River. Shortly after the disaster, President Trump gave a speech where he expressed his deep sadness and offered his condolences to the survivors.
“As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly,” Trump began. “We are in mourning.” He added, “On behalf of the first lady, myself and 340 million Americans, our hearts are shattered alongside yours and our prayers are with you now and in the days to come. We’re here for you to wipe away the tears and to offer you our devotion, our love and our support.”
“In moments like this, the differences between Americans fade to nothing compared to the bonds of affection and loyalty that unite us all both as Americans and even as nations,” the president went on. “We are one family, and today, we are all heartbroken.” He said Americans should “take solace in the knowledge that their journey ended not in the cold waters of the Potomac but in the warm embrace of a loving God.”
Donald Trump asked God to “watch over those who have lost their lives and bring comfort to the loved ones” and wrapped up by saying, “God bless everyone in this room.” He reported that federal authorities are looking into the crash and hinted that a focus on diversity may have affected the capability of Air traffic control. Trump has specifically singled out hiring requirements for Air traffic controllers.
He signed an executive order that was focused on “restoring our highest standards for air traffic controllers and other important jobs throughout the country.” He cited an article that emphasized hiring people with ‘severe intellectual’ and ‘psychiatric’ disabilities because they are “the most underrepresented segment of the workforce.” He excoriated the FAA’s ‘diversity push.’
The FAA [was] actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative spelled out on the agency’s website,” says Trump. The president took aim at policies that would have cleared these types of disabled people to guide jets into an airport.
He said people “missing extremities, partial paralysis, complete paralysis, epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, psychiatric disability, and dwarfism” were to be hired for the crucial role. He quoted an FAA statement: “Diversity is integral to achieving the FAA’s mission of safe and efficient travel.” The president strongly disagreed with the memo and believed that competence should be the sole relevant feature.
He says the pilot of the jetliner was doing everything right” by “using the same track as everybody else” at the airport. The president added that “It was a very clear night,” and the pilot was following all of the normal procedures for landing. He also raised questions as to why the Army helicopter was the same height” and “going at an angle that was unbelievably bad.”