Complaints about the FAA's hiring policies resurfaced after the American Airlines passenger plane and a Black Hawk helicopter crashed in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, killing 67 people in the country’s deadliest aviation disaster in almost a quarter century.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it was too soon to speculate the cause of the deadly crash. Skaters, parents, and coaches from the Skating Club of Boston were aboard the flight.

President Donald Trump signed an executive action he said directed federal agencies to undo diversity, equity and inclusion practices at the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration that he has blamed as responsible for a deadly midair collision between a passenger jet and military helicopter at an airport near Washington.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth provided a key update on Friday morning following the deadly air crash in Washington, DC, on Wednesday evening. During an interview on Fox & Friends, Hegseth defended President Donald Trump partially blaming DEI for the disaster.

A midair collision near D.C. has raised concerns over FAA staffing, prompting scrutiny of air traffic control and aviation safety oversight.

President Donald Trump on Thursday blasted the Federal Aviation Administration's DEI standards at a press conference addressing Wednesday night's deadly plane crash in Washington, D.C.

Trump said he didn't know what caused the crash but "we have some very strong opinions and ideas."

Before the additional flights were approved, a senator warned that the increase could heighten the risk of collisions.

Trump offered no evidence that diversity hiring practices contributed to the fatal plane and helicopter collision.

Facing his first crisis just two days into the job, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy touted reforms sought by the president, who has lambasted DEI policies.