Pritzker on DC plane crash: Trump 'unfit to lead during moments of crisis'
CHICAGO - Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is calling on the Trump administration to provide answers and take responsibility for aviation safety following Wednesday night’s deadly plane crash in Washington, D.C.
The midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a military helicopter killed all 67 people onboard the plane and helicopter.
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The first officer of the American Eagle flight, who was among the victims in the crash, was identified by his father.
What we know:
In a statement Thursday, Pritzker expressed condolences for the victims and praised first responders but also criticized the Trump administration’s handling of the tragedy.
He highlighted concerns about federal oversight, raising questions about air traffic control staffing, the firing of aviation safety advisors, and the delayed appointment of a new FAA director.
"The Trump administration must respond to this tragedy with information and facts to instill confidence in our nation’s aviation safety," Pritzker said.
He urged the administration to cooperate fully with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation.
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Trump on DC plane crash
President Donald Trump, speaking at a news conference on Thursday, blamed diversity hiring for the crash, though he provided no evidence.
He argued that former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s diversity efforts had undermined the FAA, saying, "We want the brightest, the smartest, the sharpest."
Buttigieg issued a statement following Trump's comments.
"Despicable. As families grieve, Trump should be leading, not lying. We put safety first, drove down close calls, grew Air Traffic Control, and had zero commercial airline crash fatalities out of millions of flights on our watch," Buttigieg posted on X. "President Trump now oversees the military and the FAA. One of his first acts was to fire and suspend some of the key personnel who helped keep our skies safe. Time for the President to show actual leadership and explain what he will do to prevent this from happening again."
FULL SPEECH: Trump speaks on DC plane crash: There are no survivors
Everyone aboard a deadly American Airlines flight that collided with an Army helicopter is believed to be dead.
What we don't know:
Officials have yet to determine what caused the crash, and it remains unclear whether staffing issues or air traffic control decisions played a role.
Pritzker is also pressing the Trump administration for details on whether the Blackhawk helicopter was authorized to fly at the same altitude as the passenger jet. He even asked if Elon Musk played a role in the removal of the former FAA director, who Pritzker claims had bipartisan support.
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We are learning more after an American Airlines regional jet and Army helicopter collided midair over DC on Wednesday night.
What's next:
Investigators are working to piece together what happened in Wednesday night’s tragedy.
Pritzker continues to push for answers, stating that aviation safety should not be politicized.
Pritzker's full statement on DC plane crash
"MK and I are keeping the families and friends of the victims of the American Airlines Flight 5342 tragedy in our thoughts and prayers. We are also sending our gratitude to the first responders who rushed to the scene last night and remain on the ground providing assistance. Moments like this are where it’s important we come together as Americans and offer our support.
Over 1,200 flights depart each day from Chicago’s Midway and O’Hare Airports alone. The thousands of people who fly in and out Illinois every day deserve to travel without fear of preventable disaster and danger. I have been in contact with Illinois aviation officials and our safety processes remain strong and consistent.
The Trump Administration must respond to this tragedy with information and facts to instill confidence in our nation’s aviation safety, which is squarely managed by the federal government. Air travel has been safe and without major incident for decades, and I want to ensure Illinoisans and all Americans that they can continue to feel confidence in the aviation industry. I urge the Trump Administration to cooperate with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as they conduct an independent, thorough, and swift investigation.
The Trump Administration must answer critical questions that are in the interest of the American public:
- Was the control tower not fully staffed at the time of the crash, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in a preliminary safety report? Specifically, was the controller on duty doing a job normally done by two people?
- Why did the Trump Administration fire members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee?
- In light of this tragedy, does the President understand that fully staffing federal agencies can be a matter of life and death, and is he planning to reverse his unilateral decisions to decimate the civilian federal workforce?
- Did Elon Musk play a role in the removal of the former FAA director who had bipartisan support?
- Why was a replacement to lead the FAA not named until after the crash?
- Did the federal government authorize the Blackhawk helicopter to fly in a commercial flight path at the same altitude as commercial aircraft?
- If so, will the federal government continue authorizing military helicopters to fly in commercial flight paths at the same altitude as commercial aircraft?
- Will the President, Vice President, Defense Secretary, and Transportation Secretary cooperate with the independent NTSB investigation and correct any misinformation they spread about the crash?
While times of tragedy should be focused on mourning the victims and getting answers to their loved ones, we face the unfortunate reality that we must be honest with the nation about: Donald Trump is unfit to lead during moments of crisis like this. Before victims have even been identified, Trump is blaming people with disabilities. He’s blaming the U.S. service members in the Blackhawk helicopter. He’s blaming hiring programs he can’t even name or offer examples of. The buck stops with him – yet he is failing to demonstrate his role as protector of the American people and head of our government."
The Source: The information in this article was obtained via a statement from Gov. JB Pritzker, a White House press briefing with President Donald Trump, and investigators working the case.