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FAA DEI Hiring Practices Under Fire after Tragic Plane Crash

As our nation mourns the tragic in-air collision, the hiring practices of the FAA are being scrutinized, including an ongoing lawsuit regarding their DEI policies.

The recent catastrophe over the Potomac, involving a fatal collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a Black Hawk helicopter, has not only gripped the nation with horror but also thrown a stark light on the potentially lethal consequences of prioritizing diversity over competence. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently embroiled in a class-action lawsuit claiming that 1,000 capable air traffic controller candidates were denied jobs due to diversity hiring targets—a decision that reeks of negligence and now, in the wake of such tragedy, gross irresponsibility.

The deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in nearly 25 years, claiming 67 lives, is a grim reminder of the stakes involved. The lawsuit, initiated by Andrew Brigida in 2015, alleges that the FAA, under the Obama administration, abandoned a skills-based hiring system in favor of a “biographical assessment” to diversify its workforce. Brigida, a top-scoring graduate from a prestigious air traffic control training program, was turned away, supposedly for not fitting the new diversity mold.

This isn’t just about one man’s career being sidelined; it’s about the safety of millions. When agencies tasked with our safety lower their standards, they gamble with lives. And as we’ve tragically seen, it’s a losing bet. The claim that the FAA has allowed critical staffing levels to dip dangerously low in pursuit of social engineering goals is appalling. At the time of the crash, the controller on duty was reportedly managing tasks that should have been handled by two. Such understaffing is unacceptable, and the fact that it’s partly due to a misguided diversity agenda is indefensible.

This incident should serve as a wake-up call to all federal agencies: safety must come first, always. The era of putting diversity over capability should end here, marked by a tragedy that could have—and should have—been avoided. As we mourn the lives lost, let’s channel our grief into decisive action and ensure that this kind of oversight never occurs again. Our skies must be safeguarded with vigilance and uncompromising standards. Let’s make America safe again.

Robert B. Chernin

Robert B. Chernin

Robert is a longtime entrepreneur, business leader, fundraiser, and former radio talk show host. He studied political science at McGill University in Montreal and has spent over 25 years deeply involved in civic affairs at all levels. Robert has consulted on a variety of federal and statewide campaigns at the gubernatorial, congressional, senatorial, and presidential level. He served in leadership roles in the presidential campaigns of President George W. Bush as well as McCain for President. He led Florida’s Victory 2004’s national Jewish outreach operations as Executive Director. In addition, he served on the President’s Committee of the Republican Jewish Coalition.