WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the wake of one of the deadliest aviation accidents in decades, President Donald Trump has issued a directive calling for an immediate review of aviation safety standards and hiring practices within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT).
Tragic Collision Sparks Federal Action
The January 29, 2025, mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport between a commercial aircraft and a military helicopter has left the nation in mourning. Families across the country are grieving the devastating loss of lives in what should have been a routine flight.
In response, President Trump issued a memorandum to Transportation Secretary and FAA Administrator, ordering a full-scale review of aviation hiring decisions and safety protocols made over the past four years.
Concerns Over FAA Hiring Practices
The President has linked the tragedy to hiring policies from previous administrations, stating that the Obama and Biden administrations implemented practices that deprioritized merit-based hiring within the FAA. The memorandum criticizes a biographical questionnaire introduced during the Obama era, which shifted hiring away from objective aptitude-based assessments.
During his first term, Trump says his administration worked to reinstate high standards for aviation personnel. However, he claims the Biden administration reversed these policies, implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring measures—some of which he alleges included recruiting individuals with “severe intellectual disabilities” into FAA roles.
Restoring Safety and Competence
On his second day back in office, Trump signed an executive order reinstating merit-based hiring and promotions across federal agencies, emphasizing safety and ability in aviation-related roles.
His latest directive orders the DOT and FAA to:
✅ Review all hiring decisions from the past four years.
✅ Assess safety protocol changes under the previous administration.
✅ Reverse any policies deemed to have compromised aviation safety.
✅ Replace any personnel who do not meet proper qualifications.
This action aligns with the Presidential Memorandum of January 21, 2025 (Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation), which called for enhanced safety measures across the industry.
Ensuring Public Confidence in Air Travel
Trump’s directive aims to restore public trust in the FAA and ensure that all Americans can fly with confidence. The administration has vowed to take “all necessary actions” to uphold the highest aviation safety standards and prevent future tragedies like the one in Washington, D.C.
Further details on the investigation and safety review will be released in the coming weeks.
