Washington (AP) -The nation has been involved in the most deadly American aviation disaster for over 20 years Donald Trump On Thursday, he accused the diversity of diversity in diversity to impair air safety, and questioned the behavior of the U.S. Army helicopter pilot involved in the aerial collision with commercial passenger aircraft.
It is believed that 67 people have I died in a crash accident on Wednesday eveningWhile a flight from Wichita, Kansas has landed at Washington Reagan National Airport. As Trump spoke, the federal government has just begun a survey, and the first respondents still worked to recover their bodies from the Potmax River.
Officials have not yet established the cause of the collision. Trump himself acknowledged that it was too early to draw conclusions because he encouraged the country to pray for the victims. But he immediately moved to engage in speculation and political attacks. The Americans traditionally comforted the president and looked at the president in search of warranty and facts.
“It must have happened and nothing had happened,” said the co -government president in a briefing room in the White House, more than 3 miles or 5 kilometers from the disaster.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump blamed Donald Trump on Thursday to impair air safety, as the state was involved in the most deadly American airlines disaster. (AP video: Mike Pesori)
Trump accused the former President Joe Biden for recruiting workers who are suffering from serious intellectual disability, psychiatric issues, other mental and physical conditions. This program added that it has permitted employment not only for paralysis, epilepsy, “deductible” but also for those with hearing and vision problems.
Trump does not share evidence that unqualed people are in an important position, such as air traffic control, and there is no sign that Reagan National Airport Air Controls have made mistakes. I acknowledged it.
Asked why he was blaming diversity's initiative, “I have common sense, and unfortunately many people are not.”
Mr. Trump said that air control officers need to be wonderful to ensure safety.
“They must be talented and natural genius,” he said. “I can't work for ordinary people.”
Trump specifically complained Pete BattigegHe was the Secretary of Transport, Biden, a competitor who challenged Trump for the White House in 2020, and called him a “disaster.”
“He is running on the ground with his diversity,” said Trump and added his gender to Buttigieg's explanation.
Buttigieg responded in X post and called Trump's comment “sneaky”.
“As the family gets sad, Trump should guide, not a lie,” he added.
As if to emphasize Trump's points, the White House invited a reporter to an elliptical office and saw him signing another presidential order, and the officials “awakened by the Federal Airlines. He said he would stop the policy. Trump signed a presidential order last week in the FAA to end diversity's initiative.
President Donald Trump has signed the President's memorandum on aviation safety, and states that it will cancel the “damage” by the Biden administration to federal agencies. He also doubled the claim that “incompetent” could play a role in a crash.
“We want the most competent people,” said Trump. “We don't care what kind of race they are.”
When asked if he was planning to visit the crash falling site, he said he would meet the victim's family.
“What is the site? Water? Do you want to swim to me?” Said President.
FAA diversity initiatives are not new. The Trump administration has been promoted this month, including at least during the first term of Trump since 2013 before deleting them from government agencies. According to an Internet archive snapshot, the substantially similar language for searching for a candidate with disabilities was on both the term of Biden and the first term of Trump.
Former FAA administrator Michael Whitaker responded to the accusation last year that agency had prioritized diversity over qualified candidates. Say The FAA is looking for qualified candidates from various information and needs to “meet the strict qualifications that vary depending on the position.”
The CRASH drop on the plane was the first major disaster of Trump's new term, and his reaction has evolved a explanation about his frequent and controversy -COVID -19 pandemic. Handling of his pandemic Helped a sour voter To him because he did not win the re -election in 2020.
After leading the silent moment to say to the dead family, “Our heart is crushed with you,” Trump began to guess what happened. “I don't know why this crash has led to a very strong opinion,” he said.
Trump declared that the helicopter pilot was wearing a night vision goggles, and declared that there was a problem with the pilot, and the helicopter declared that it would go at an incredible angle. He questioned why the Army pilot did not change the course and said, “You can stop the helicopter very quickly.”
He also said about the two aircraft, saying, “They were at the same altitude for some reason,” and said, “They should have been at a different height.”
Even if Trump was publicly considering the reason for the crash drop, the National Transportation Safety Commission was more cautious.
“We look at the facts in the survey, and it will take some time for a while,” said Jennifer Homendy, chairman of the Board.
The Democratic Party criticized Trump's remarks on Thursday.
“It's one thing that Internet experts spit out conspiracy theory, and it's different for the US President,” said the New York Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer.
Vice President JD VANCE, Secretary of Transport Sean Duffy And the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegces, lined up behind Trump, praising his leadership and reflecting his concerns about diversity programs and employment.
“If you don't have the best criteria for the hired person, it means that the government doesn't have the best people,” said Vans. People who are already there. “
Trump claimed that Duffy, who was swearing as Battigeg on Tuesday, tells him that it is not your fault. Duffy has won the White House podium with Trump and declared, “When Americans take off by plane, they should expect to land in their destination.” Duffy added, “Do not accept excuses.”
Federal staff Raise concerns In particular, after a series of close calls between airplanes at US airports, an air control system that has been short of tentacles and personnel for many years. They quotes issues related to competitive salaries, long -term, intensive training, and forced retirement to contribute to the shortage of personnel.
“These events are very rare, but our safety system shows a clear sign of tension that we cannot ignore,” said Home Diet in 2023. Aviation expert Published a report The FAA requires better personnel arrangement, equipment, and technology.
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AP communication writer Ali Swenson has contributed to this report.
