U.S. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy has launched a “full investigation” into the Federal Aviation Administration's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) employment practices.
Duffy disclosed the probe in a March 14th post on social media platform X. This links to audio showing that “DEI activists” shared exam responses with “minority” air traffic controller (ATC) candidates.
“If that's the case, there will be quick accountability for the person in charge,” he says. “We need the best and brightest ones, not Dei's going to hire.”
Duffy previously echoed President Donald Trump's comments, suggesting he proposed a shortage of DEI employment and skilled controllers, but played a role in a catastrophic January accident in which a PSA airline's regional jet collided with a US military helicopter near the Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC.
Trump's appointee and former Fox News contributor, Duffy vowed to lead the US Department of Transport (the US Department of Transport that oversees the FAA) the day before the PSA accident.
In an interview with Fox News on March 14, Duffy pointed out that former US President Barack Obama's management is encouraging a variety of candidates to enroll in the FAA's ATC training program.
“You can enter law school, but if you can't pass the bar (exam), you can't become an attorney,” says Duffy. “You still need to go through that bar. What this did for us, here – we should do our research. Want to know: Are DEI practices still in place? Because the president was very clear. He wants the best and brightest air traffic controllers who control our sky.
“I agree with him and I'm going to do an OIG investigation,” he says. “We are working with law firms that conduct independent investigations into air traffic control systems.”
Duffy does not provide a timeline for completing the probe.
He has pledged to reveal a drastic plan to modernize the ATC and improve US air safety in the coming weeks, and says he wants “previously” the funds needed for the US Congress.
In particular, a preliminary report from the US National Traffic Safety Commission on Reagan National Clashes denounced the FAA for failing to act on thousands of “close events” that brought military helicopters to approach the airport and brought them too close to commercial aircraft.
The FAA closed down a previously busy helicopter corridor along the Potomac River in response to the accident.
