Trump Blames DEI and Democrats for Mid-Air Disaster at Reagan National Airport

Washington, D.C. (Thursday, January 30, 2025) – Even as a massive effort is underway to recover the bodies of those killed in that mid-air disaster near Reagan National Airport Wednesday night plunging dozens into the icy waters of the Potomac River, President Trump today wasted no time inserting politics into the equation. At an 11 a.m. press conference from the White House, Trump pointed the finger of blame at policies from previous Democratic administrations for how and why the collision happened.

Trump blamed former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden for what he called their failed DEI policies within the FAA and adding those policies put unqualified air traffic controllers in the workplace. “They put politics at a level that nobody’s ever seen because this was the lowest level. Their policy was horrible and their politics was even worse. You have to be talented naturally talented geniuses. You can’t have regular people doing that job. They won’t be able to do it,” said Trump.

There were no survivors of the American Airlines regional jet and the US Army Black Hawk Helicopter. 67 people are presumed dead. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the cause of the collision. But several reports indicate both pilots of the American Airlines Flight 5342 and the military helicopter would have been used to navigating the complex airspace into Reagan National Airport.


Search and rescue efforts are seen around a wreckage site in the Potomac River from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, early Thursday morning, Jan. 30, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Among the dead are several members of the figure skating community who were aboard the jet, returning from a developmental camp in Wichita, according to US Figure Skating.

Fairfax County Public Schools issued a statement today saying it has lost members of its FCPS family in the crash. In the statement from Superintendent Michelle Reid, she said “I invite you to join me in praying for our families, friends, and colleagues, that we know have lost loved ones in this tragic accident.” It is not clear if those who perished are students, teachers, or staff.

The Skating Club of Boston named six victims on the plane.

64 people were on the jet and 3 soldiers were on the Army Black Hawk helicopter. Emergency responders from DC, Maryland, and Virginia are participating in the recovery. So far, 28 bodies have been pulled from the waters.