By Ricardo Lezama 
Following the recent crash of an army helicopter into a passenger jet, airspace safety has come under intense scrutiny. The helicopter collided with the passenger aircraft during its landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport, as confirmed by the FAA. Unfortunately, many people are waiting to hear in the midst of the tragedy from their loved ones.
As of the time of this writing, American Airlines has established a center for families to contact them and to await results of an ongoing search and rescue expert. The cold and dark conditions have aggravated the situation.
The mid-air incident is currently the subject of an ongoing investigation, however, many have taken to social media to express their concerns about the current state of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Many are blaming the collision, which claimed approximately 67 lives, on President Donald Trump’s recent changes to the FAA. It is alleged Trump brought about a heavy cut in the FAA’s personnel last week, a move many claim is a cause of a commercially operated airplane’s first crash since 2009.
Furthermore, it is speculated that Republicans have been blocking adequate funding for the FAA and more air traffic controllers over the years. A barrage of online criticisms state that Trump has dismantled the FAA, causing it to be consistently understaffed. Reports suggest that the administration mandated the halting of the FAA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, placing employees involved in these programs on paid leave, thus, diminishing even more an already atrophied workforce.
Last week, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Coast Guard were dismissed, and a key aviation safety advisory committee was disbanded. Those assigning blame to Trump for the accident cite several factors. Firstly, reports suggest that Ted Cruz, alongside other members of congress, expanded flights through Washington National Airport, despite the FAA and local representatives voicing that air lanes there were overcrowded, thus paving the way for a potential disaster.
Claims have been made that Trump’s decision to cut funding for the FAA and TSA, coupled with dismissing key figures within these agencies, may have contributed to the crash. The incident has been deemed by some to be a reflection of the Trump administration’s prioritisation of cutting costs over ensuring air traffic safety.
FAA Understaffed
Authorities are under increasing pressure to look into these claims and reassess the funding and staffing of crucial air safety institutions. These grave criticisms spark a discussion on the need for substantial investment in air traffic control as a key safety measure. It is claimed that Trump’s new FAA director, who has recently begun his job, will be dealing with further complications arising from these allegedly poor decisions. The aviation industry is anxiously waiting to see if the FAA will be allowed to hire as many air traffic controllers as needed to prevent future incidents and ensure the safety of the nation’s airspace.