... Signing the memorandum in the Oval Office, Trump repeated – without evidence – his earlier assertions that federal diversity programs contributed to a helicopter and a regional jet colliding near Washington ...

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-signs-aviation-order-to-assess-damage-done-to-air-safety-by-diversity-policies

and pushing his political agenda. It's so disgusting to see him do this when these families are grieving the loss of their loved ones.

4 hours ago
Anthony Zurcher

... Asked by a reporter how he could blame diversity programmes for the crash when the investigation had only just begun, the president responded: "Because I have common sense" ...

The agency has faced criticism over a longstanding shortage of air traffic controllers, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic caused massive disruptions in commercial air travel.

Reports suggest that staffing levels at Reagan airport on Wednesday night may have been compromised ...

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpvmdm1m7m9o

By Ronny Reyes and Shane Galvin
Published Jan. 30, 2025
Updated Jan. 30, 2025, 6:33 p.m. ET

he air traffic controller on duty at the time of the deadly passenger plane-Black Hawk helicopter crash in Washington, DC, was doing the work of two people, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

Staffing in the air traffic control tower at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was “not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic,” the FAA found in its preliminary report, according to the New York Times ...

The airport’s air traffic control facilities have been understaffed for years ...

The facility should have had 30 on deck, as per the goal set by the FAA and controller’s union. Shortages have caused many controllers to work 10-hour days and six-day weeks ...

https://nypost.com/2025/01/30/us-news/air-traffic-controller-was-doing-the-job-of-two-people-during-crash-faa-says/

Imagine that.

is ridiculous

ESPECIALLY when opined by someone as UNQUALIFIED as DONALD FUCKING TRUMP

Associated Press, ABC News, KAKE News Jan 30, 2025 Updated 1 min ago

... Just over 24 hours before Wednesday’s fatal midair collision, a different regional jet executed a go-around maneuver when descending to land at Reagan Airport due to a military helicopter in the same area, the Associated Press reports.

Flight tracking sites and air traffic control logs show the Embraer E-175 was cleared to land at the airport’s Runway 19 and advised about a helicopter in its vicinity. It executed a go-around after its automated collision avoidance system ordered what is known as a ‘resolution advisory’ to avoid nearby traffic, which put the aircraft out of proper alignment for landing. It landed safely minutes later ...

https://www.kake.com/home/wichita-dc-plane-crash-1-air-traffic-controller-was-doing-2-jobs-at-the-time/article_2dcaf5b2-df02-11ef-b6f1-075bafe134bf.html

few university programs. Note that Trump could have changed this during his first term AND CHOSE NOT TO. I think that’s our attack route — if it was so terrible, why didn’t you change it then?