Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed deep frustration during a news conference on Thursday, the day after a tragic mid-air collision between a plane and a military helicopter in Washington, D.C., which resulted in the loss of 67 lives. Buttigieg’s remarks came in response to comments made by former President Donald Trump, who blamed the Biden administration and criticized the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its handling of safety protocols.
Buttigieg quickly took to social media to denounce Trump’s statements, which he characterized as “despicable” and said were made at an inappropriate moment when families were grieving. “As families grieve, Trump should be leading, not lying. We put safety first, drove down close calls, grew Air Traffic Control, and had zero commercial airline crash fatalities out of millions of flights on our watch,” he wrote on X.
In his address, Trump highlighted that he now oversees both the military and the FAA. He claimed that one of his first actions in office was to fire key personnel responsible for maintaining safety in American skies. He subsequently issued a memo directing the FAA and the transportation secretary to conduct a systematic evaluation of aviation safety standards and hiring protocols during the Biden administration.
Trump did not shy away from placing blame and criticized past presidents Obama and Biden, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusivity initiatives in the FAA and the Department of Transportation. He argued that the focus should be on hiring the best qualified individuals for vital roles like air traffic controllers. “Brilliant people have to be in those positions,” he remarked.
Following the crash, which occurred near Reagan National Airport, Trump confirmed that there were no survivors among the 60 passengers and four crew members on the plane, along with three individuals aboard the helicopter. The focus of rescue operations has now transitioned to recovery efforts.
In light of this tragic event, it’s crucial for both government officials and aviation authorities to work collaboratively to ensure such incidents are minimized in the future. The conversation surrounding aviation safety protocols highlights the necessary ongoing evaluations and adjustments needed to uphold the highest safety standards in air travel.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous safety measures and the commitment required from all stakeholders in the aviation sector to ensure the safety of the skies.