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Trump appoints new FAA chief after deadly D.C. crash, orders end to DEI hiring practices

By isabelle // 2025-01-31

• President Trump appointed Christopher Rocheleau as acting FAA administrator following a deadly midair collision near Washington, D.C., that killed more than 60 people.
• The crash involved an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, marking one of the deadliest U.S. aviation disasters in 20 years.
• Rocheleau, a 22-year FAA veteran, is tasked with restoring public trust and addressing aviation safety concerns amid the tragedy.
• Trump signed a memorandum to eliminate DEI hiring practices in aviation, criticizing previous administrations for prioritizing diversity over merit and competence.
• The crash has sparked calls for technological innovation and renewed focus on safety standards in the aviation sector.

In the wake of a devastating midair collision near Washington, D.C., that claimed 67 lives, President Donald Trump on Thursday appointed Christopher Rocheleau as the acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The move comes as the administration seeks to address mounting concerns over aviation safety and reverse the dangerous hiring practices tied to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The crash, which occurred Wednesday night, involved an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport, marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters in the U.S. in two decades. Trump, speaking from the White House briefing room, emphasized the need for immediate action to restore confidence in the nation’s aviation system. “I’m immediately appointing an acting commissioner to the FAA, Christopher Rocheleau. A 22-year veteran of the agency, highly respected. Christopher, thank you very much, appreciate it,” Trump said. Rocheleau, who previously served as the FAA’s deputy administrator, will now lead the agency pending Senate confirmation.

A veteran leader for a critical role

Rocheleau’s appointment has drawn praise from industry insiders, including former acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen, who called the decision “excellent.” “It’s a great decision. Chris, when I joined the FAA, was my number two. I think the world of him, and I think the President has made an excellent choice,” Nolen said during an interview with NewsNation. With over two decades of experience at the FAA, Rocheleau has held key roles, including director of the office of emergency operations and investigations. His deep institutional knowledge and leadership skills are seen as critical assets as the agency grapples with the aftermath of the crash and broader safety challenges.

Trump targets DEI hiring practices

In addition to appointing Rocheleau, Trump signed a memorandum directing the new FAA chief and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to eliminate DEI hiring practices in the aviation sector. The President criticized the policies of his predecessors, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, for prioritizing diversity over merit and competence. “On my second day in office, I ordered an immediate return to merit-based recruitment, hiring, and promotion, elevating safety and ability as the paramount standard,” Trump wrote in the memorandum. “Yesterday’s devastating accident tragically underscores the need to elevate safety and competence as the priority of the FAA.” The memo specifically cited the Obama administration’s introduction of a biographical questionnaire that shifted hiring focus away from objective aptitude. It also criticized the Biden administration for encouraging the recruitment of individuals with “severe intellectual disabilities.” “The Biden Administration egregiously rejected merit-based hiring, requiring all executive departments and agencies to implement dangerous ‘diversity equity and inclusion’ tactics, and specifically recruiting individuals with ‘severe intellectual’ disabilities in the FAA,” Trump wrote. The tragic crash has reignited debates over aviation safety and the need for technological advancements. Nolen, who served as acting FAA administrator under Biden, urged the agency to use the disaster as a catalyst for innovation. “Use this moment. Let’s not let this tragic event go to waste,” Nolen said. “Let’s take this as an opportunity to say, what are the other innovative things we can do? We’ve got some brilliant people out there in America, right? And let’s think about what we can apply, be it AI, how do we make our airspace more efficient?” As Rocheleau steps into his new role, he faces the dual challenge of restoring public trust in the FAA and implementing Trump’s directive to prioritize safety and competence over diversity initiatives. With the Senate confirmation process ahead, his leadership will be closely scrutinized in the coming months. The appointment of Christopher Rocheleau as acting FAA administrator marks a pivotal moment for the agency as it confronts the fallout from one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent history. Trump’s push to end DEI hiring practices underscores a broader shift toward merit-based standards in critical, life-and-death roles. As the nation mourns the lives lost in Wednesday’s crash, the focus now turns to ensuring such a tragedy never happens again. Sources for this article include: JustTheNews.com TheHill.com FoxNews.com

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