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FAA DEI Hiring Practices Under Fire after Tragic Plane Crash

As our nation mourns the tragic in-air collision, the hiring practices of the FAA are being scrutinized, including an ongoing lawsuit regarding their DEI policies.

The recent catastrophe over the Potomac, involving a fatal collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a Black Hawk helicopter, has not only gripped the nation with horror but also thrown a stark light on the potentially lethal consequences of prioritizing diversity over competence. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently embroiled in a class-action lawsuit claiming that 1,000 capable air traffic controller candidates were denied jobs due to diversity hiring targets—a decision that reeks of negligence and now, in the wake of such tragedy, gross irresponsibility.

The deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in nearly 25 years, claiming 67 lives, is a grim reminder of the stakes involved. The lawsuit, initiated by Andrew Brigida in 2015, alleges that the FAA, under the Obama administration, abandoned a skills-based hiring system in favor of a “biographical assessment” to diversify its workforce. Brigida, a top-scoring graduate from a prestigious air traffic control training program, was turned away, supposedly for not fitting the new diversity mold.

This isn’t just about one man’s career being sidelined; it’s about the safety of millions. When agencies tasked with our safety lower their standards, they gamble with lives. And as we’ve tragically seen, it’s a losing bet. The claim that the FAA has allowed critical staffing levels to dip dangerously low in pursuit of social engineering goals is appalling. At the time of the crash, the controller on duty was reportedly managing tasks that should have been handled by two. Such understaffing is unacceptable, and the fact that it’s partly due to a misguided diversity agenda is indefensible.

This incident should serve as a wake-up call to all federal agencies: safety must come first, always. President Trump‘s vocal criticism of the FAA’s diversity programs is a breath of fresh air. His commitment to stripping these dangerous policies and prioritizing American lives aligns with the principle that federal responsibilities should be guided by merit, not identity politics.

It’s time for a major overhaul. The Trump administration must ensure that every air traffic controller, every government employee with our lives in their hands, is the best person for the job, irrespective of their background. The era of putting diversity over capability should end here, marked by a tragedy that could have—and should have—been avoided. As we mourn the lives lost, let’s channel our grief into decisive action and ensure that this kind of oversight never occurs again. Our skies must be safeguarded with vigilance and uncompromising standards. Let’s make America safe again.

Robert Chernin

Robert Chernin

Robert B. Chernin has brought his years of political consulting and commentary back to radio. As a longtime entrepreneur, business leader, fundraiser and political confidant, Robert has a unique perspective with insights not heard anyway else. Robert has consulted on federal and statewide campaigns at the gubernatorial, congressional, senatorial, and presidential level. He served in leadership roles in the presidential campaigns of President George W. Bush as well as McCain for President. He led Florida’s Victory 2004’s national Jewish outreach operations as Executive Director. In addition, he served on the President’s Committee of the Republican Jewish Coalition. Robert co-founded and served as president of the Electoral Science Institute, a non-profit organization that utilizes behavioral science to increase voter participation and awareness. Robert can be heard on multiple radio stations and viewed on the “Of the People” podcast where you get your podcasts.