On January 29, 2025, a collision occurred between a commercial aircraft and a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. This tragic incident has left American families grieving the loss of their loved ones.
The event has sparked criticism regarding past decisions made during the Obama and Biden Administrations concerning hiring practices at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It is alleged that these administrations shifted focus away from merit-based hiring by implementing a biographical questionnaire. The statement suggests that this move compromised safety standards.
During a previous term, efforts were made to raise standards for safety and excellence within the FAA. However, it is claimed that the Biden Administration rejected these merit-based hiring practices in favor of "diversity equity and inclusion" tactics, which included recruiting individuals with "severe intellectual" disabilities for roles within the FAA.
In response to this incident, an immediate return to merit-based recruitment was ordered on the second day in office. The priority is now placed on elevating safety and competence within the FAA.
Furthermore, consistent with a Presidential Memorandum dated January 21, 2025, directives have been issued to the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. They are tasked with reviewing all hiring decisions and changes to safety protocols made over the past four years. Corrective actions will be taken as necessary to ensure uncompromised aviation safety.
This review will include an assessment of any decline in hiring standards and aviation safety protocols during recent years. The goal is to reverse concerning trends related to safety and personnel management while ensuring all Americans can fly safely.
