In a press conference addressing the plane-helicopter collision near Ronald Reagan National Airport, President Donald Trump made several statements regarding air traffic controllers and federal policies. He claimed that controllers can have epilepsy and other serious health conditions, which is contradicted by FAA policies that require controllers to meet specific medical standards. Trump also mentioned an executive order that aimed to restore high standards for hiring in aviation, alleging that the Biden administration sought to recruit individuals with serious health issues. However, the FAA’s diversity initiatives date back to at least 2013 and continued through Trump’s term. Trump also suggested that air traffic controllers have shorter lifespans due to stress, although there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. Additionally, he stated that he changed the aviation hiring standards from “very mediocre” under Obama to “extraordinary.” However, there is no evidence to support the claim that hiring practices under the Obama and Biden administrations played a role in the plane-helicopter collision. Overall, Trump’s statements about air traffic controllers and federal policies do not align with FAA standards, documentation, or historical initiatives.
Studying Trump’s comments on diversity, equity, and inclusion following the DC plane crash
