Trump offers prayers for victims of Washington plane crash.
President Donald Trump expressed his condolences on Thursday for the victims of a tragic aeroplane collision near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. The crash involved a U.S. Army helicopter and a commercial jet, resulting in the deaths of 67 individuals, including 60 passengers and four crew members from the passenger plane, as well as three U.S. Armed Forces members aboard the helicopter.
Speaking at a press conference just over 12 hours after the incident, Trump called for a moment of silence to honour the victims. “As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul taken from us so suddenly,” he said. “On behalf of the first lady, myself, and 340 million Americans, our hearts are shattered alongside yours. Our prayers are with you now and in the days to come.”
Trump reassured the victims’ families, stating, “Americans can 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.” He also prayed for comfort and strength for their loved ones, concluding with, “God bless everyone in this room.”
While acknowledging the federal investigation into the cause of the crash, Trump appeared to link the tragedy to federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. He criticised hiring standards for air traffic controllers under the Biden administration, claiming that diversity initiatives had compromised merit-based hiring.
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Citing a Fox News article, Trump alleged that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had been recruiting individuals with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities, considering them under-represented in the workforce. He read from the FAA’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan, which stated that “Diversity is integral to achieving the FAA’s mission of safe and efficient travel,” and argued that intelligence and qualifications should be the primary criteria for such critical positions.
Trump further questioned the circumstances of the crash, pointing out that the passenger aircraft was following the proper flight path when attempting to land. He raised concerns about why the helicopter was flying at the same altitude and described its flight angle as “unbelievably bad.” Noting that the night was clear and the aircraft had its navigation lights on, he implied that the crash could have been preventable.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA have launched an investigation into the incident. Federal authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the crash or whether human error played a role. In the meantime, the nation mourns the lives lost in this devastating tragedy.
Content Credit| Agbetan Bisola
Picture Credit | https://www.npr.org/
