Through the briefing, President Donald Trump blamed former President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden for insurance policies he claimed compromised air security. He accused them of prioritising variety over competence in hiring choices. Trump opened Thursday’s White Home briefing with a second of silence, honoring the victims of a tragic midair collision over the Potomac River.
“I put security first. Obama, Biden, and the Democrats put coverage first,” Trump acknowledged. “They really got here out with a directive: ‘too white.’ And we would like the individuals which can be competent.”
“I’d wish to request a second of silence for the victims and their households,” Trump mentioned, bowing his head earlier than confirming that nobody had survived the accident.
The crash, on Wednesday, concerned a US Military Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airways passenger airplane. He characterised it as “a darkish and excruciating night time in our nation’s capital and in our nation’s historical past.” He introduced that the operation had now shifted from rescue to restoration.
The remarks got here as federal investigators launched an inquiry into the collision, which is taken into account one of many deadliest aviation disasters within the US in practically 25 years.
Trump appoints performing FAA Administrator following crash
In response to the tragedy, Trump introduced the appointment of Chris Rocheleau because the performing administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The choice comes amid rising issues over aviation security and regulatory oversight.
Demise toll rises in Washington airplane crash
All 64 individuals aboard the American Airways jet, together with 60 passengers and 4 crew members, had been feared useless, authorities confirmed. The three troopers aboard the Military helicopter didn’t survive.
Not less than 28 our bodies have been recovered from the icy waters of the Potomac River, mentioned John Donnelly, Washington, D.C.’s fireplace chief. The collision occurred because the passenger jet was getting ready to land at Ronald Reagan Nationwide Airport.
“We do not consider there are any survivors,” Donnelly acknowledged. “We at the moment are on the level the place we’re switching from a rescue operation to a restoration operation.”
As investigations proceed, aviation officers and lawmakers are urging a complete evaluate of air site visitors rules and security lapses that will have been concerned.
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