Former President Donald Trump stirred controversy on Thursday by suggesting, without evidence, that a midair collision near Washington, D.C., was linked to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) diversity hiring initiatives. His remarks, made during a White House press briefing, have drawn sharp criticism from aviation experts, disability rights advocates, and political leaders.

The crash, which occurred on Wednesday night, involved a passenger jet preparing to land at Reagan National Airport and an Army helicopter on a training flight. All 64 passengers and crew members on the jet, along with three soldiers on the helicopter, perished in what is now the deadliest U.S. air disaster in over two decades. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation, but the cause of the accident remains undetermined.

Despite the lack of evidence, Trump linked the tragedy to the FAA’s efforts to diversify its workforce. "The FAA diversity push includes focus on hiring people with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities. That is amazing," he claimed. He further suggested that diversity initiatives could compromise air traffic controller qualifications, adding, "Air traffic controllers have to be at the highest level of genius."

Pressed on how he could blame diversity policies without knowing the cause of the crash, Trump responded, "Because I have common sense."

Trump’s remarks were met with immediate criticism. The FAA has strict hiring and training standards, ensuring all air traffic controllers undergo rigorous mental and physical evaluations.

"Blaming a natural aircraft disaster on people with disabilities and the programs designed to foster integration is unfounded," said James Ward, executive director of ADA Watch/Coalition for Disability Rights & Justice. "It is ableist, bigoted, and puts a target on the backs of people with disabilities."

Aviation safety expert Anthony Brickhouse also dismissed Trump’s claims, stating, "Finding out what happened to cause an accident and making changes to get better is what safety is about. This isn’t the time for politics, this isn’t the time for an agenda."

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy emphasized that investigations are based on facts, stating, "As part of any investigation, we look at the human, the machine, and the environment. That will take some time."

Later on Thursday, Trump signed an executive memorandum ordering a review and rollback of diversity initiatives in aviation safety roles. This follows an earlier executive order eliminating all federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and placing DEI office staff on paid leave ahead of office closures.

Trump also used the moment to take aim at former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who served under President Joe Biden. Buttigieg swiftly responded on X (formerly Twitter), calling Trump’s remarks "despicable" and urging him to lead rather than "lie" in a time of national grief.

As the investigation into the crash continues, critics argue that Trump’s comments serve to politicize a tragedy rather than focus on the facts needed to improve aviation safety. The FAA has not yet responded to Trump’s claims.