Immediate Assessment of Aviation Safety

President Donald Trump has issued a directive to the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct an immediate assessment of aviation safety following a tragic collision between a commercial aircraft and a military helicopter near Washington, D.C. This memorandum criticizes previous administrations for allegedly compromising FAA hiring standards by prioritizing diversity over merit, and it mandates a return to merit-based recruitment to enhance safety. The review aims to address any lapses in hiring and safety protocols from the past four years, potentially leading to significant changes in FAA personnel and policies, with legal and political implications for how federal agencies balance diversity initiatives with safety and competence.