Staff Reports
President Trump has once again demonstrated his commitment to keeping airplanes in the sky and their passengers safe. Following a tragic aviation incident where an American Airlines flight collided with a Black Hawk helicopter, Trump swiftly signed a memo calling for an immediate review of aviation safety protocols. This action comes at a time when many are questioning the competence within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) thanks to some questionable legacies left by the Obama and Biden administrations.
The memo unequivocally assigns blame to the previous administrations for their apparent disregard for hiring based on merit and competence. Trump’s directive emphasizes that he wants highly qualified individuals in critical aviation positions—those who can handle the complex tasks associated with air traffic control, not just those who check boxes on a diversity form. The former president stressed that qualifications should be prioritized above all else, regardless of race or gender. In the high-stakes world of aviation, where lives hang in the balance, this focus on competence is refreshing.
New Memorandum from Trump
"…review all hiring decisions and changes to safety protocols made during the prior 4 years, and to take such corrective action as necessary to achieve uncompromised aviation safety…" pic.twitter.com/EwnxcA4l0K
— Jon Herold (@patel_patriot) January 30, 2025
As the newly sworn-in Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy gears up to comb through the hiring practices and safety protocol changes made under Biden, Trump has made it clear that there will be no room for “concerning safety and personnel trends.” This is a move that any reasonable American should applaud. After all, when air traffic controllers are responsible for the lives of countless passengers, the last thing anyone wants to see is a system that prioritizes political correctness over competence.
During the signing event, Trump boldly asserted that the tragic accident was likely avoidable and laid some blame at the feet of air traffic controllers for not spotting the impending disaster. He pointed to the overwhelming reliance on DEI initiatives, which he claims have led to unqualified individuals making critical decisions in aviation safety. If one thing is certain, it’s that a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion should never come at the expense of getting the right people in the right positions—especially when the alternative might get you a mid-air collision right out of a Hollywood disaster movie.
In true Trump fashion, he also announced the appointment of Christopher Rocheleau as the new deputy administrator of the FAA. Rocheleau, a seasoned aviation official, is perhaps the kind of leader that starts to right the ship by reinstating high standards where they have been let slip. As Trump embarks on his second term, he seems determined to reverse the previous administration’s misguided policies that may have prioritized social justice over safety in the skies. With executive actions already stripping DEI initiatives from vital sectors, it’s clear that Trump is on a mission to put safety and competence back at the forefront of American aviation. With all this going on, it seems clear that Trump is flying with a full tank of resolve.
