This week, a heartbreaking air tragedy unfolded as the nation mourned the loss of 67 lives in a devastating American Airlines crash. Along with this tragedy, another unrelated incident—a medevac helicopter crash in Philadelphia that claimed the lives of a young girl and her mother—has added to the country’s grief. Congressman Eric Burleson from Missouri, a member of the House Transportation and Oversight Committees, has stepped forward to discuss the investigation into the plane crash, and he’s not pulling any punches about who he thinks is to blame.
In Burleson’s colorful commentary, he slammed the Democratic Party for trying to pin the tragic crash on Donald Trump, claiming it was mere “despicable” blame-shifting. The congressman recalled reports from 2023 noting a significant shortage of skilled air traffic controllers, a concern exacerbated by what he termed the Biden administration’s misaligned priorities. Instead of filling vital positions that keep air travel safe, Burleson suggested the administration has focused too heavily on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Delving deeper into the matter, Burleson pointed out a November documentary that had predicted potential disasters due to the failing air traffic control systems. Sadly, the predictions came to fruition, and Burleson believes it’s time for Congress to take decisive action. He expressed his concern that the Biden administration’s hiring practices may have overlooked qualified candidates, all in favor of meeting “diversity quotas.”
With the House looking to make changes, Burleson appears determined to push for merit-based hiring policies in vital federal agencies like the FAA. His assertion is that ensuring the selection of capable personnel should take precedence over meeting specific racial or gender benchmarks, especially when public safety hangs in the balance. He laid out plans for the new Congress to potentially defund offices focusing on diversity if those offices continue to deprioritize merit in critical hiring processes.
In a further twist, Burleson addressed the fiery response from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who urged Democrats to “fight them in the streets.” Burleson cautioned that such rhetoric only stokes the flames of division and potentially violence, reminding listeners that past inflammatory statements from Democrats had inflamed tensions. His belief is simple: it’s vital to keep discussions centered on policy rather than escalating conflicts.
As the investigations continue into what went wrong that fateful day, and as the nation reflects on how it can prevent future tragedies, Burleson’s insistence on prioritizing public safety through tangible reform remains clear. For him and many Americans, it’s time to step back, reassess priorities, and ensure that lives—not political games—take the front seat in this crucial conversation.
