On Jan. 29, the American public was left in disbelief when news broke of a plane and military helicopter colliding over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. Despite authorities having no explanation for this catastrophic event, the Trump administration has used this moment to highlight criticisms of DEI hiring.
“Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is a conceptual framework that promotes the fair treatment and full participation of all people, especially populations that have historically been underrepresented or subject to discrimination because of their background, identity, disability, etc.,” the American Psychological Association explained.
These foundations of equality facilitate non-discriminatory practices — especially within the workplace. In theory, this means that diversity is actively promoted through equity practices. DEI has been met with both support and opposition.
At first, some might immediately see a connection between the accident and DEI practices, while others might struggle to rationalize the claim.
A week prior to the accident, President Donald Trump signed Executive Orders EO 14151 and EO 14173. These actions aimed to stop anti-discriminatory practices that Trump claims are violating the nation’s civil rights laws. Accounting for his past aversion to DEI policies, Trump’s actions within his first few weeks in the Oval Office seem fit.
However, not everyone agrees with his reasoning. In fact, some have raised concerns about the legitimacy of his claims and what consequences they may have on future hiring practices.
“Are you saying this crash was somehow caused as the result of diversity hiring? And what evidence have you seen to support these claims?” a reporter questioned during Trump’s White House briefing.
“It just could have been. We have a high standard. We’ve had a much higher standard than anybody else. And there are things where you have to go by brainpower. You have to go by psychological quality, and psychological quality is a very important element of it,” Trump responded. “These are various, very powerful tests that we put to use. And they were terminated by Biden. And Biden went by a standard that seeks the exact opposite … But certainly, for an air traffic controller, we want the brightest, the smartest, the sharpest. We want somebody that’s psychologically superior. And that’s what we’re going to have.”
On Jan. 31, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt upheld Trump’s sentiments. Leavitt emphasized that merit and skills need to supersede identity and politics within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hiring practices. Leavitt promoted Trump’s concept that there is no room for discourse, rather, Trump explains it as “common sense.”
“Do you pray that your plane lands safely and gets you to your destination, or do you pray that the pilot has a certain skin color,” Leavitt asked.
After a moment of silence at his press briefing, Trump singled out the chair of the Department of Transportation under the Biden administration: Pete Buttigieg.
“The FAA, which is overseen by Secretary Pete Buttigieg — real winner, that guy, real winner — do you know how badly everything’s run since he’s run this Department of Transportation?” Trump said.
Buttigieg then took to X to respond to the president’s harsh statements.
“It’s time for the President to show actual leadership and explain what he will do to prevent this from happening again,” Buttigieg said.
The same day, the president signed a presidential memorandum ordering the FAA to take necessary “corrective action” and review their hiring standards over the past four years of the former Biden administration. Trump aims to end Biden’s era of “woke policies.”
While Trump’s new policies and actions remain highly divisive, it is important to remember the 67 lives that were tragically lost in the accident.
