What Did Donald Trump Do Today?
January 30, 2025 Recap
President Trump’s remarks on the mid-air collision over the Potomac River were a mixture of condolence, policy critique, and political attack, raising significant concerns about the tone and focus of his response. While he appropriately expressed sorrow for the victims and their families, his speech quickly pivoted into a broader criticism of federal hiring policies, particularly within the FAA and air traffic control system. Instead of focusing on the immediate facts surrounding the tragedy, Trump linked the crash to diversity and inclusion hiring initiatives despite providing no direct evidence that such policies played any role in the accident.
One of the most problematic aspects of his response was his premature assignment of blame. The investigation into the crash is still in its early stages. Yet, Trump strongly implied that FAA hiring standards—revised under the Biden administration—could have contributed to the disaster. He cited FAA hiring policies that encourage the inclusion of individuals with disabilities, arguing that only the “brightest and smartest” should be placed in air traffic control positions. However, his focus on these policies was misleading. The FAA’s diversity recruitment efforts have existed for over a decade, including during Trump’s first term, raising the question of why he did not change them sooner if they were a critical safety concern. His assertion that the Biden administration’s push for diversity lowered aviation safety standards lacks concrete proof and oversimplifies a complex aviation safety system that involves multiple layers of checks and balances beyond individual air traffic controllers.
Additionally, Trump analyzed the technical aspects of the crash in a way that came across as speculative rather than informed. His comments on the altitude and trajectory of the helicopter seemed to suggest pilot error, yet he simultaneously cast doubt on air traffic control’s ability to prevent the disaster. While he acknowledged that an investigation was ongoing, his strong opinions about possible causes before any official findings were released undermined the credibility of the investigative process. The mention of night vision equipment possibly impairing visibility was another unverified claim that further muddled the discussion.
Perhaps most notably, Trump’s remarks became increasingly political, using the disaster to attack Biden, the FAA, and diversity initiatives rather than keeping the focus on safety reforms and national unity. He boasted about his past policies, including his executive order to restore "higher standards" for FAA personnel just days before the crash, implying that the tragedy might have been avoided had his policies remained in place. This assertion is unverifiable and self-serving, especially considering aviation safety improvements take time to implement and cannot be expected to have immediate effects. Furthermore, his references to past administrations—particularly claiming that Obama and Biden prioritized politics over safety—shifted the discussion away from the immediate and pressing concerns of the victims and their families.
While Trump was right to emphasize the importance of aviation safety, his approach was divisive and politically charged rather than measured and solutions-focused. Instead of waiting for concrete investigative findings, he pushed a narrative that fit his broader political agenda. Rather than offering a unifying message of resilience and cooperation, he turned a national tragedy into a partisan attack, using speculation and policy grievances to frame the incident as a failure of his political opponents.
Instead of focusing on a thorough and objective investigation into the causes of the accident, the document shifts blame to past administrations’ hiring policies, specifically targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as a primary factor undermining safety within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It criticizes the Biden Administration’s hiring practices, particularly regarding individuals with “severe intellectual” disabilities, and asserts that these policies compromised safety standards. These same policies were in effect during Trump’s first term when no action was taken on behalf of his administration to reverse DEI practices or review FAA hiring policies.
A key issue with this approach is the lack of direct evidence to substantiate the claim that DEI policies have led to a deterioration in aviation safety. The assertion that hiring individuals with “severe intellectual” disabilities has jeopardized safety is particularly controversial, as it lacks context and fails to acknowledge the specific roles such individuals may hold within the FAA. The language used risks conflating diversity efforts with incompetence without offering clear, data-driven analysis to support such claims.
Furthermore, the memorandum suggests that the new administration's implementation of merit-based hiring just days earlier would have prevented such incidents, an assertion that is premature at best. Aviation safety is a complex, multifaceted issue that involves factors such as air traffic control coordination, mechanical reliability, pilot training, and regulatory oversight.
President Trump fired key officials during his first week in office, including TSA Administrator David Pekoske and Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan, before their terms ended. Additionally, the administration eliminated all Aviation Security Advisory Committee members, a group mandated by Congress after the 1988 PanAm 103 bombing to oversee airline security.
Additional Source: Associated Press
FCC Chair Brendan Carr has launched an investigation into NPR and PBS over allegations that they may be violating federal law by airing commercial advertisements. Carr expressed concerns that underwriting announcements on these noncommercial broadcasters may cross into prohibited commercial content.
NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher defended the organization, stating that NPR complies with FCC regulations and expects its member stations to do the same. Similarly, a PBS spokesperson affirmed that the broadcaster adheres to FCC underwriting rules and welcomes the opportunity to demonstrate compliance.
The investigation comes amid broader conservative criticism of public broadcasters. Figures like President Trump have called for defunding NPR and PBS due to alleged bias. FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez has criticized the move, suggesting it is part of an effort to weaponize the agency against media outlets.
Carr recently announced plans to revisit complaints against major broadcasters dismissed by the Biden administration, framing his actions as a fight against censorship in mainstream media.
Brendan Carr is the senior Republican commissioner at the FCC and has served as its General Counsel. Presidents Trump and Biden nominated him, and the Senate unanimously confirmed him three times.
It cannot be easy documenting the daily horrors of the Trump administration. Thank you for being a source of truth and accountability. Keep up the good work! We need your reporting!