> Trump signs an aviation order rolling back federal diversity initiatives
Trump signs an aviation order rolling back federal diversity initiatives
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President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum on aviation safety Thursday which he says will undo “damage” done to related federal agencies by the Biden administration.
The president signaled out policies meant to promote diversity and inclusion by the Biden White House and of the administrations of other Democrats, saying, “What they’ve done is disgraceful.”
Signing the memorandum in the Oval Office, Trump repeated – without evidence – his past assertions that federal diversity programs contributed to a helicopter and a regional jet colliding near Washington.
"Incompetence might have played a role, we'll let you know that," Trump said to reporters.
He said the memorandum can help ensure that “we have very strong people running” key aviation agencies.
A midair collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight killed all 67 people aboard the two aircraft, officials said Thursday, as they scrutinized the actions of the military pilot and reported that control tower staffing was “not normal” at the time of the country's deadliest aviation disaster in almost a quarter century.
At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River after the helicopter apparently flew into the path of the jet late Wednesday while it was landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport, just across the river from Washington, officials said.
The plane carried 60 passengers and four crew. Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter.
Asked if he has a plan to meet with first responders who are on the scene searching for victims' bodies and plane wreckage, Trump responded: "I have a plan to visit, not the site because what you tell me, what's the site? The water? You want me to go swimming?"