Vice President J.D. Vance spoke with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo about the tragic plane crash near Washington, D.C., that left 67 people dead. He and President Trump believe the collision could be linked to staffing issues influenced by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies at the Federal Aviation Administration. Vance boasted that the Trump administration has “halted DEI across the government,” emphasizing that the White House is committed to putting merit and safety first.
Key Facts
- Vice President Vance gave one of his first major interviews since his inauguration.
- He referenced a mid-air collision involving a commercial American Airlines flight and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
- A total of 67 people lost their lives in the crash.
- President Trump criticized DEI hiring policies at the FAA, suggesting they may be linked to staffing shortages.
- Vance said the administration wants “the most qualified personnel” in critical roles and stated that they have “halted DEI” in government agencies.
The Rest of The Story
Vance explained that the Trump administration is examining whether any diversity-based hiring guidelines might have played a part in the lack of sufficient personnel in the control tower.
He said that the White House does not blame any one individual for the tragedy but insists that standards must remain high, especially for positions that have public safety at stake.
He also claimed that the administration has successfully ended DEI initiatives across federal departments, shifting focus to “pure merit” to prevent any future shortages or lapses.
Vance noted that the administration is conducting a thorough investigation to determine if DEI practices reduced the pool of potential applicants.
President Trump previously said at a press conference that the FAA needs top talent in key spots like air traffic control, rather than setting hiring priorities for reasons other than pure capability.
Vance echoed this sentiment, arguing that focusing on essential qualifications is the only way to ensure tragedies like this are avoided.
BARTIROMO: Do you have any evidence that any of those hires that were there at the control Wednesday night were DEI hires?
JD VANCE: This is not saying that the person at the control was a DEI hire, but … pic.twitter.com/Aa1bNLm6ZI
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 2, 2025
He also suggested that the previous administration’s staffing cuts at the FAA, coupled with certain hiring targets, could have left crucial gaps in coverage.
In the same interview, Bartiromo touched on Vance’s future political prospects, asking if he plans to run for higher office after serving as vice president.
Vance did not provide a definitive answer but stated that his current priority is to serve the nation under President Trump’s leadership.
Trump has stopped America’s DEI ‘scandal,’ JD Vance says in exclusive interview https://t.co/WtSnL1DODi #FoxNews @Foxnews @SundayFutures
— Maria Bartiromo (@MariaBartiromo) February 2, 2025
Commentary
Many conservatives see this disaster as another example of the government’s failure to prioritize safety.
They point to the fact that Democrats have held control of the White House for much of the past 16 years, leading to policies that allegedly valued social targets over core competence.
Critics claim it is a miracle that more accidents have not occurred during this period.
Supporters of the Trump administration believe that Vice President Vance’s firm stance against DEI is a bold move that finally puts merit, excellence, and intelligence at the forefront.
They argue that DEI programs introduced an unfair advantage for some individuals while discriminating against others, especially highly qualified applicants.
This, they claim, contributes to a divided workplace and lowers overall standards.
Many conservatives applaud the move to end DEI in the government and replace it with what they call MEI: merit, excellence, and intelligence.
They see it as a major victory for Vance, viewing his remarks as proof that the administration is following through on campaign promises to protect Americans by prioritizing competence in critical positions.
They believe the public supports halting DEI initiatives if it means saving lives and preventing tragic events like this from happening again.
The Bottom Line
Vice President Vance is underscoring the administration’s commitment to prioritizing highly qualified candidates in critical positions.
The recent deadly crash has put a spotlight on potential staff shortfalls and hiring practices.
While the investigation is ongoing, both the president and vice president continue to call for more rigorous standards at federal agencies.
Whether new hiring rules will be swiftly enacted remains to be seen, but officials appear eager to make changes that could prevent future tragedies.
Read Next
– Elon Musk Uncovers Staggering Fraud in the Federal Government’s Payment System
– Dollar General Issues Guidance Telling Employees How to Deal With Visits From ICE
– USAID Website Goes Dark, Agency May Be Folded Into State, Democrats Go Berserk