Trump blames DEI hiring for DCA crash; faces backlash from lawmakers amid ongoing investigation into aviation tragedy.

President Trump intensified his criticism of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices following the recent midair collision near Reagan Washington National Airport.

He claimed these practices, initiated by previous administrations, contributed to the tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of 67 people on board both aircraft.

In a social media post, Trump suggested that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had prioritised hiring individuals with “psychiatric disabilities” under the Biden administration.

He emphasized the importance of psychological quality for air traffic controllers and said that psychological testing standards had been undermined by the current administration.

Trump described the circumstances of the crash, asserting that a helicopter was flying too high when it collided with a plane, while other reports suggested staffing issues in the air traffic control tower may have played a role.

His remarks drew criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum, who cautioned against drawing premature conclusions about the cause of the accident.