Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg faced significant backlash for attributing responsibility to former President Donald Trump for the tragic collision between a helicopter and a plane near Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport. An American Airlines aircraft, with approximately 64 people on board, collided with a Blackhawk helicopter in the vicinity last Wednesday evening, leading to a devastating loss of 67 lives.
In the wake of this disaster, Buttigieg quickly pointed fingers at the Trump administration, alleging staffing reductions. He claimed, “The Trump administration contacted air traffic controllers, offering buyouts to leave their jobs. It’s a very easily proven fact,” despite mounting evidence to the contrary. Buttigieg’s comments seemed to ignore the persistent aviation staffing shortages over the years, with 285 out of 313 air traffic control facilities reportedly grappling with understaffing.
They can't spin this away. The Trump administration contacted air traffic controllers, offering buyouts to leave their jobs. It's a very easily proven fact.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 2, 2025
Obama left 1000 qualified ATCs in the wind because they were white males.
— Dr. Michael Jones (@TruthorConseq12) February 2, 2025
A preliminary report from the FAA highlighted staffing deficiencies at the DCA Air Traffic Control tower during the time of the incident. Disturbingly, the report revealed that only one controller managed both helicopter and airplane traffic, a task typically divided among multiple controllers to ensure safety. Webcam footage from the Kennedy Center vividly depicted the harrowing moment when the Blackhawk helicopter collided directly with the American Airlines plane.
Webcam at the Kennedy Center caught an explosion mid-air across the Potomac. https://t.co/v75sxitpH6 pic.twitter.com/HInYdhBYs5
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) January 30, 2025
Critically, the FAA’s staffing challenges were exacerbated by its decision to reject a thousand air traffic controller applicants based on its commitment to “Marxist DEI” (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies. Yet Buttigieg conveniently side-stepped these pressing issues, choosing instead to blame an administration no longer in power. Furthermore, it is essential to note that air traffic controllers were specifically excluded from the federal buyout programs under Trump, debunking Buttigieg’s unfounded accusations.
Another layer of controversy emerged when it was reported that one of the Blackhawk helicopter’s co-pilots was 28-year-old Rebecca Lobach, who also served as a White House aide for President Joe Biden. Her presence raised questions, particularly in light of the DEI narrative being pushed, further intensifying the scrutiny on current administration policies.
You were on maternity leave playing pretend chestfeeding during most of the last four years when you could’ve been addressing the ATC shortage. STFU and sit down.
— Bad Hombre (@joma_gc) February 2, 2025
You didn't even read your own article. "An official for the Office for Personnel Management, the U.S. government’s human resources arm, said Friday that controllers weren’t eligible for the resignation plan or subject to the hiring freeze across much of the rest of federal…
— murd4 (@murderof4Crows) February 2, 2025
Critics swiftly dismantled Buttigieg’s narrative, emphasizing the misleading nature of his statements. Given that air traffic controllers were not part of Trump’s federal buyout list, the attempt to cast blame appeared more as a diversion from the real issues plaguing the FAA and its leadership.
You should be in jail Pete Buttigieg.
Your perverse obsession with identity over ability is why the FAA collapsed under Joe Biden.
You’re a disgraceful DEI hire who caused countless disasters in the US while you served as Secretary of Transportation.
Thankfully you got fired.
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) February 2, 2025
Trump supporters noted that the attempt to scapegoat him was not only factually incorrect but also highlighted the refusal of current leadership to own up to the tangible administrative failures that could jeopardize lives.
h/t: Steadfast and Loyal
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