President Donald Trump blamed diversity hiring at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a deadly midair collision in Washington, despite no evidence linking DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies to the crash.

Axar.az, citing Reuters, reports that at a White House press conference, Trump claimed the FAA was hiring people with “severe disabilities” as air traffic controllers, a statement criticized by aviation experts, disability rights advocates, and Democratic lawmakers.

The crash, involving a passenger jet and an Army helicopter, left 67 people dead, making it the deadliest U.S. air disaster in over 20 years. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has yet to determine the cause, stating that investigations take time and focus on multiple factors, not politics.

Trump has made dismantling DEI policies a key priority of his administration, recently signing an order to eliminate federal diversity programs. Following his remarks, he issued an executive memorandum directing a review of diversity policies in aviation safety roles.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg condemned Trump's comments, calling them "despicable" and accusing him of spreading misinformation while families mourn. Aviation experts also refuted Trump’s claims, emphasizing that air traffic controllers undergo rigorous training and that diversity efforts do not compromise safety.