Trump orders DEI review of aviation, alleging link to crash
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
President Trump ordered a review of all federal aviation hiring and safety decisions in response to Wednesday night's deadly air collision near Washington.
Why it matters: The order shows Trump is doubling down on his claim, without evidence, that DEI policies were a factor in the crash. His memo explicitly mentions "diversity equity and inclusion," and reflects how anti-DEI efforts are a centerpiece of his second administration's policy.
- It's also the latest example of Trump trying to blame the Biden administration and Democrats on issues that arise during his term.
Zoom in: Trump signed the new memo today, according to a person familiar with the matter. It directs the Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the FAA administrator to:
- "Review all hiring decisions and changes to safety protocols made during the prior four years, and to take such corrective action as necessary to achieve uncompromised aviation safety, including the replacement of any individuals who do not meet qualification standards."
- "This review shall include a systematic assessment of any deterioration in hiring standards and aviation safety standards and protocols during the Biden administration."
Reality check: It's unclear what caused Wednesday night's crash involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and a Blackhawk military helicopter. The investigation into the collision is just beginning.
- Trump's memo alleges that Biden's administration "egregiously rejected merit-based hiring, requiring all agencies to implement dangerous 'diversity equity and inclusion' tactics, and specifically recruiting individuals with 'severe intellectual' disabilities in the FAA."
The "disabilities" language that Trump now opposes was in FAA regulations during his entire first term and first appeared around 2013, according to the fact-checking website Snopes.
Democrats on Thursday pointed fingers at Trump and criticized him for suggesting DEI played a role.
- "He's in charge. This happened on his watch," Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said in a video message on X. He blamed Trump for throwing the FAA into chaos by "ousting the sdministrator and the whole FAA safety board."
Catch up quick: Trump issued a blizzard of executive actions and orders in his first week in office, including the "Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation" action, which his new memo largely repeats.
- Trump dismantled DEI hiring in the federal workforce in a Day 1 order.
- Trump's administration established an email reporting site to root out DEI programs.
- Trump placed DEI staffers on paid leave on his third day in office.
