Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined Fox & Friends on Friday to discuss the ongoing investigation into the deadly mid-air collision near Washington Reagan National Airport, the Biden administration’s handling of the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the decision to house criminal migrants at Guantanamo Bay.
The conversation also touched on the role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the military and aviation sectors, with Hegseth emphasizing the importance of merit-based standards in critical roles.
READ: Trump Clashes With Press Over DEI And DC Plane Crash Investigation “I Have Common Sense”
The collision, which occurred earlier this week between a military Blackhawk helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet, resulted in the deaths of all 64 passengers and crew on the commercial flight, as well as the three military personnel aboard the helicopter. Investigators are working around the clock to determine the cause of the crash, with a focus on staffing shortages in the air traffic control tower and potential errors in altitude management.
Hegseth provided updates on the investigation, noting that the Blackhawk was on a routine night qualification flight using a designated military corridor near Reagan National Airport. The helicopter was equipped with night vision goggles, though it remains unclear whether they were in use at the time of the collision. “We don’t yet have the black box from the Blackhawk,” Hegseth said, adding that the device will provide critical insights into internal communications and decision-making during the flight.
The Defense Secretary stressed the importance of continuing military training while ensuring safety. “We have to train as we fight, but something like this can never happen again. It’s completely unacceptable,” he said.
READ: Trump And Buttigieg Clash Over Air Traffic Control Standards Following DC Crash
The conversation shifted to the role of DEI initiatives in the aviation and military sectors, with Hegseth and the Fox & Friends hosts criticizing what they described as the prioritization of diversity over merit. Hegseth echoed President Trump’s call for a review of DEI policies in aviation, suggesting that such initiatives may have contributed to the staffing shortages and operational errors that led to the collision.
“At the FAA and the Department of Defense, we need the best of the best,” Hegseth said. “I don’t care about your background, your gender, or your skin color. I want excellence. That’s it.” He emphasized that the Biden administration’s emphasis on DEI has led to divisive policies and quota systems that undermine merit-based hiring and training.
The hosts also highlighted a lawsuit alleging that the FAA turned away nearly 1,000 air traffic controller applicants last year based on race, as well as reports of staffing shortages at Reagan National Airport. “They needed 30 personnel in the control tower, but there were only 19 when this crash happened,” said co-host Ainsley Earhardt.
Hegseth also addressed the decision to house criminal migrants at Guantanamo Bay, a move that has drawn criticism from some quarters. He defended the decision as a necessary measure to address border security and national safety. “We have to ensure that our nation is secure, and that includes making tough decisions about where to house individuals who pose a threat,” he said.
During the interview, Hegseth addressed what he called “malicious implementation” of policies by opponents within the government. He referenced attempts to discredit his efforts to eliminate DEI programs by falsely linking them to the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, a renowned group of African American pilots who served with distinction during World War II.
“The Tuskegee Airmen are an example of courageous merit,” Hegseth said. “They overcame incredible challenges because of their skill and acumen, not because of divisive policies. We’re focused on equality and excellence, not quotas or divisive ideologies.”
As the investigation into the collision continues, Hegseth pledged transparency and accountability. “We want the American people to know what happened as soon as we can provide that information,” he said. “We owe it to the families of those affected and to the nation to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.”
The discussion underscored the broader debate over the role of DEI initiatives in critical sectors like aviation and defense, with Hegseth and the Trump administration advocating for a return to merit-based standards.
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