Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg responded to President Trump’s criticism of the FAA and the prior administration, calling it “despicable” at a time of tragedy and disputing his characterization of events.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg hit back after President Trump criticized the Biden administration and diversity initiatives in the aftermath of a deadly midair collision outside

Mike Whitaker, unanimously confirmed as the FAA administrator in October 2023, stepped down early from his five-year term on Jan. 20 when Trump took office and for 10 days the FAA declined to say who was running the agency on an acting basis. Trump has not yet named a permanent candidate to replace Whitaker.

Trump said he didn't know what caused the crash but "we have some very strong opinions and ideas."

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg slammed President Donald Trump on Thursday after Trump blamed the deadly midair collision of an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army helicopter over the Potomac River on diversity,

After a deadly air disaster in the U.S., President Trump appointed Chris Rocheleau as the acting head of the FAA. The incident sparked political debate, with Trump questioning previous diversity efforts at the agency.

President Trump implied diversity push in the Federal Aviation Administration may have played a role in the crash, injecting a partisan note just moments after sounding a moment of unity and grieving.

President Donald Trump blasted the Federal Aviation Administration's DEI standards at a press conference addressing Wednesday night's deadly plane crash in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.