By Javar Juarez (CUBNSC) Potomac, Washington, D.C. - Congressional delegations from the Washington metropolitan area are being briefed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the deadly midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, according to two congressional aides.
The crash, which claimed the lives of all 64 passengers aboard the commercial aircraft and three soldiers aboard the military helicopter, has sparked a wave of speculation and political blame. President Donald Trump confirmed that 28 bodies have been recovered, with efforts ongoing to retrieve the remaining victims.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation and has assumed responsibility for all official communications regarding the victims. A press conference is expected later today.
DC Plane Crash: A Tragic Collision Over the Potomac
Authorities are now focusing on recovery efforts following the Wednesday night disaster near Reagan National Airport. The collision sent both aircraft into the Potomac River, with no survivors expected. DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly confirmed that search-and-recovery operations are ongoing.
In a Thursday press conference, President Trump made controversial remarks, oscillating between blaming Democrats, diversity hiring initiatives, air traffic controllers, and even the military pilots operating the Black Hawk. In the wake of the tragedy, Trump also announced the appointment of Chris Rocheleau, former chief operating officer of the National Business Aviation Association, as the acting commissioner of the FAA.
Political Fallout and Reactions
Trump’s remarks have ignited a political firestorm, with several key officials responding:
President Donald Trump: Without providing evidence, Trump suggested that a “diversity push” at the FAA contributed to the collision. He vowed to “work diligently” to support the victims’ families but pivoted to criticizing Democratic leadership and the former transportation secretary.
Vice President JD Vance: Echoing Trump, Vance claimed—without evidence—that lowered hiring standards in air traffic control contributed to the disaster. He alleged that prospective controllers had been turned away due to race-based hiring policies.
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy: Acknowledged the collision as preventable and pledged reforms in accordance with President Trump’s directives to ensure such incidents do not recur.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg: Responded sharply on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Trump of politicizing the tragedy instead of leading. Buttigieg emphasized that his tenure prioritized safety and that close calls had decreased under his leadership.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: Confirmed that the Black Hawk was conducting routine night training for a continuity-of-government mission. He acknowledged that a mistake had occurred but did not attribute blame.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris: Expressed condolences, stating that she and former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff were “heartbroken” and extended prayers to the victims’ families.
Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS): Speculated that a “confluence of errors” led to the crash but provided no evidence.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association: Warned against premature speculation, stating that determining the cause would require thorough investigation.
Trump’s Controversial Remarks Draw Criticism
During his White House press briefing, Trump’s claim that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies played a role in the crash was met with strong pushback. Aviation expert Pete Muntean criticized the remarks as “unprofessional, unpresidential, and unhinged.”
Muntean emphasized that the investigation was still in its early stages and that it was reckless for Trump to attribute blame without evidence. He pointed out that investigators would need significant time to analyze the crash data.
“I have to feel for the air traffic controllers at Reagan National, who had to watch helplessly and then alert first responders,” Muntean said, adding that Trump’s remarks only sowed unnecessary division.
Rise of Conspiracy Theories
As official investigations continue, conspiracy theories have proliferated on social media, with many speculating that the crash was intentional.
Some users claim the helicopter appeared to “chase” the plane before impact, likening the incident to a “1970s-style assassination.”
Others question the identities of those on board, suggesting—without evidence—that it was a “targeted hit.”
Skeptics argue that experienced military pilots would not make such an error, implying foul play.
A viral post on X reads: “A military helicopter flying into a passenger plane? This smells bad.”
Another theorist posted: “We need to know who was on that plane because this doesn’t feel random.”
Despite these wild claims, there is no credible evidence supporting the notion that the crash was anything but a tragic accident. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the collision, and experts caution against premature speculation.
What is certain is that anyone associated with the Trump administration, including its cabinet members, is not a trusted source of credible information.
Conclusion
As the investigation unfolds, federal authorities are urging the public to remain patient and allow experts to determine the facts. However, with political rhetoric heating up and social media amplifying conspiracy theories, this tragedy has quickly become a contentious issue beyond aviation safety.
Further updates from the NTSB are expected as recovery efforts continue.
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