Washington D.C.: One day after the deadly air collision in Washington D.C., US President Donald Trump ordered a thorough review of the US Federal Aviation Administration's hiring decisions and changes to safety protocols over the past four years.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the President issued a Presidential Memorandum to the Secretary of Transportation, directing a comprehensive evaluation of all hiring decisions and safety protocol changes made during the previous four-year period. The directive mandates corrective actions if necessary to maintain uncompromised aviation safety, including replacing individuals who do not meet qualification standards. The review will focus on any deterioration in hiring and aviation safety standards during the Biden Administration.
The memorandum further requires the Secretary of Transportation and the FAA Administrator to take all necessary actions to reverse concerning safety and personnel trends from the last four years, emphasizing an unwavering commitment to aviation safety to ensure Americans can fly with peace of mind.
President Trump attributed the tragedy to decisions made during the Obama and Biden Administrations, criticizing what he described as a shift away from merit and competence in FAA hiring practices. He claimed the Obama Administration had implemented a biographical questionnaire at the FAA to focus less on objective aptitude, while the Biden Administration allegedly rejected merit-based hiring in favor of "diversity equity and inclusion" tactics.
Highlighting his commitment to merit-based recruitment, Trump noted that on his second day in office, he ordered a return to hiring practices that prioritize safety and ability. He concluded by stating that the recent accident underscores the need to prioritize safety and competence within the FAA.
The collision, which occurred near Reagan National Airport, involved a commercial plane and a military helicopter, resulting in the loss of all lives on board.