White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized Senator Chuck Schumer for attributing the recent Delta airliner crash in Toronto to President Donald Trump's actions. The crash occurred when the plane, departing from Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport, crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport, resulting in the aircraft flipping over and catching fire. Despite the dramatic scene, all 80 passengers survived, with 18 sustaining injuries, three of which were critical.
Senator Schumer took to social media to blame Trump's cuts to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) workforce for the incident, claiming that the layoffs of safety specialists made the skies less safe. In response, Leavitt condemned Schumer's statements as irresponsible, emphasizing that the investigation into the crash was ongoing.
Leavitt refuted Schumer's claims by highlighting that Canadian air-traffic controllers were in charge at the time of the crash, not FAA personnel. She also clarified that no air-traffic controllers had been dismissed by the current administration, with a focus on merit-based hiring to ensure public safety. Leavitt further criticized former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and the Biden administration for allegedly neglecting aviation safety during their tenure.
The political back-and-forth between Schumer and the White House underscores the sensitivity and complexity of aviation safety issues. As investigations into the Delta airliner crash continue, it is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize factual accuracy and constructive dialogue to enhance air travel safety for passengers worldwide.
