Trump blames DEI, Army pilot error for deadly Black Hawk collision

President Donald Trump blamed diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the Federal Aviation Administration for a deadly midair collision between an Army helicopter and a passenger jet outside Washington, as authorities continue to investigate the worst U.S. aviation disaster in almost a quarter century.

Speaking in the White House press briefing room Thursday, the president, without evidence, blamed air traffic controllers, as well as the helicopter pilot and Democratic policies at federal agencies for Wednesday night’s collision, which occurred between an American Airlines jet and a Blackhawk helicopter at Ronald Reagan National Airport.

Trump stated the helicopter pilot made an incorrect turn prior to the collision, though he did not provide evidence to support his claim.

“I have helicopters. You can stop a helicopter very quickly,” Trump said. “It had the ability to go up or down. It had the ability to turn, and the turn it made was not the correct turn, obviously.”

Trump asserted this opinion even though the crash has yet to be fully investigated and there has been no determination as to whether the FAA or the helicopter pilots did anything wrong.

Passenger jet collides with Army helicopter at Reagan Airport

Dozens of people — including more than a dozen figure skaters — were killed in the collision after the helicopter apparently flew into the path of the jet as it was landing at the airport, officials said.

There are reportedly no survivors.

The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members at the time.

Three soldiers, whose identities have not yet been released, were aboard the helicopter during a training flight, an Army official previously said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth identified the three soldiers as a captain, staff sergeant and chief warrant officer 2 at Thursday’s briefing.

“While performing a training mission, a United States Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, collided in midair with an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet Flight 5342 last night at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport,” said Ron McLendon II, public affairs deputy director of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington.

“The FAA, NTSB and the United States Army will investigate,” he added. “The NTSB will lead the investigation. We are working with local officials and will provide any…