Trump Names Acting FAA Administrator After Plane Crash

Key Points

• President Trump appointed Chris Rocheleau as acting FAA Administrator following a plane crash near Reagan National Airport.
• The crash involved an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, with no survivors expected.
• During a press conference, Trump blamed DEI policies and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for the crash, without providing evidence.

Summary

Following a tragic plane crash near Reagan National Airport involving an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army helicopter, President Trump appointed Chris Rocheleau as the acting FAA Administrator. Rocheleau, a veteran of the FAA and former executive with the National Business Aviation Association, steps into the role after Mike Whitaker's resignation. In a press conference, Trump controversially blamed the crash on DEI hiring policies within the FAA, although he did not provide supporting evidence for this claim.