In the wake of the tragic midair collision near Washington, President Donald Trump expressed profound sorrow for the lives lost during an address to the nation Thursday.

During his remarks, President Trump also criticized the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, suggesting that such initiatives might have compromised safety standards.

“We must have only the highest standards for those who work in our aviation system,” President Trump said at the White House event. “Only the highest aptitude – you have to be the highest intellect – and psychologically superior people, were allowed to qualify for air traffic controllers.”

“We have to have our smartest people. It doesn’t matter what they look like, how they speak, who they are. What matters is intellect, talent. The word talent. They have to be talented geniuses,” he added. “We can’t have regular people doing that job. They won’t be able to do it.”

He said a “confluence of bad decisions that were made” contributed to the crash.

The cause of the collision between an Army Blackhawk helicopter and a regional PSA Airlines jet operated on behalf of American Airlines has not been determined. Three people were aboard the helicopter, and 64 were on the plane. Officials say there were no survivors.

President Trump has long been a vocal critic of DEI programs, viewing them as counterproductive and potentially detrimental to organizational effectiveness. He argues that prioritizing diversity over merit can lead to suboptimal outcomes, particularly in critical sectors like aviation.

By highlighting the FAA’s DEI policies in the context of the collision, Trump underscores his belief that such initiatives may have contributed to the incident.

Critics of DEI programs often point to studies suggesting that diversity initiatives can inadvertently lead to division and resentment within organizations. They argue that a focus on merit and qualifications should be paramount, especially in fields where safety is at stake.

As the nation mourns the loss of those involved in the collision, the discussion about DEI policies and their impact on public safety continues to evolve, reflecting broader debates about the balance between diversity and merit in federal institutions.