Jeffries accuses Trump, GOP of 'peddling lies' in claiming DEI contributed to plane crash

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Republicans Thursday of “peddling lies” about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies for hiring air traffic controllers contributing to the deadly plane crash in Washington.

Mr. Jeffries, New York Democrat, issued a statement that did not directly name Mr. Trump but pointedly criticized him and other Republicans floating the DEI theory without any evidence.

“While people are suffering, extreme MAGA Republicans are peddling lies and attacking people of color and women without any basis whatsoever,” he said. “This is not America. The American people deserve better.”

A military helicopter with three people on board collided with an American Airlines flight carrying 60 passengers and four crew members on Wednesday night over the Potomac River near the landing zone for Reagan National Airport. No one survived the crash.

Mr. Trump said at a press conference on Thursday that he believed relaxed standards for air traffic controllers due to DEI initiatives of the Obama and Biden administrations were a factor in the crash.

Mr. Trump did bring up race in his explanation of the DEI standards, as he pointed blame at a group during the Obama administration that determined the FAA workforce was “too white.”

“We took care of African Americans, Hispanic Americans. We took care of everybody at levels that nobody has ever seen before. It’s one of the reasons I won,” Mr. Trump said. “But they actually came out with a directive, ’too white.’ And we want the people that are competent.”

Mr. Jeffries said the tragedies confronting the country, from the deadliest plane crash in more than 20 years to the horrific wildfire damage in Southern California, require a response of “leadership, compassion and decency” that Republicans aren’t demonstrating.

“House Democrats will make sure the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have the resources needed to keep the American people safe and conduct a thorough investigation of the tragedy above Washington National Airport,” he said.