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GOP Senators Do Not Back Trump

Senate Republicans are distancing themselves from former President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may have played a role in the recent midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

On Thursday, some GOP senators appeared caught off guard when questioned by reporters about Trump’s comments. The collision between a regional jet and a helicopter over the Potomac River has sparked widespread concern, but many lawmakers preferred to focus on the official investigation rather than speculate on its causes.

Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) emphasized that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is responsible for determining what went wrong. “They’re going to get to the bottom of this. It’s obviously human error, and it’s horrifying,” she said. When asked specifically about Trump’s DEI comments, Capito responded, “I don’t know what DEI would have to do with it. There are concerns about shortages of air traffic controllers and certain protocols at the airport, but we need to find out exactly what happened before making assumptions.”

Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) also directed attention to the NTSB’s investigation, calling the situation “too fresh” for political speculation. “They haven’t even released all the names of those who tragically perished,” he said, adding that he is confident the NTSB will conduct a full and thorough review before any conclusions are made. When asked if he was concerned about the crash being politicized, Daines acknowledged that tragedies often lead to political debate but reiterated the importance of waiting for the facts.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) downplayed Trump’s statements, saying, “He just made a comment about DEI as a problem,” while admitting he wasn’t sure if there was any actual connection between the hiring policies and the crash.

During a press conference on Thursday, Trump strongly criticized Biden and Obama-era hiring initiatives within the FAA and blamed former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, accusing him of mismanaging the department and prioritizing diversity efforts over competence.

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) echoed Trump’s concerns during an appearance on Fox Business, questioning whether DEI initiatives had played a role in the incident.

The NTSB is leading the investigation into the crash that claimed the lives of all passengers aboard. Approximately 60 people were on the plane, and officials have confirmed that there were no survivors, with recovery teams working to retrieve victims from the wreckage.


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